A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s attempt to access the medical records of transgender patients, alleging constitutional violations.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking federal prosecutors from seizing transgender patients’ medical records from New York hospitals. The subpoenas, tied to a purported investigation into the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for so-called “gender-affirming care,” were deemed unconstitutional. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “This ruling is a victory for the basic privacy of our clients and all families like theirs across New York City.” – Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, counsel for the plaintiffs 📺 DETAIL: Judge Katherine Polk Failla, an Obama appointee, issued the restraining order after criticizing the Justice Department for seeking six years of sensitive health data related to transgender medical treatments, including records involving minors, parents, and young adults. The subpoenas, issued by federal prosecutors in Texas as part of a probe into the alleged “misbranding” of FDA-approved medications, targeted institutions including NYU Langone Hospitals. Failla said the government appeared to be using criminal investigations to obtain records after similar efforts had been rejected through civil proceedings and described the pursuit of information on a “uniquely vulnerable group” as particularly troubling. The lawsuit alleges the administration has used regulatory pressure and record demands as part of a broader campaign targeting transgender healthcare. Failla also granted class-action status to the plaintiffs and scheduled a July 8 hearing to determine whether the temporary order should be converted into a preliminary injunction. 🎯 IMPACT: The decision temporarily protects transgender patients and their families from government overreach, while signaling potential broader limits on investigative tactics involving sensitive medical data. A hearing is scheduled for July 8 to determine whether the restraining order will become a preliminary injunction. 📺 FLASHBACK: The Trump administration has previously used its regulatory authority to restrict access to so-called “gender-affirming care.” Twenty-seven states are also limiting or banning transgender “treatments” for minors. |
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