A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate gender ideology-related webpages that were removed from public health websites last month. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge John Bates of the District of Columbia, requires the administration to restore the deleted content by midnight.
Judge Bates, a George W. Bush appointee, sided with the advocacy group Doctors for America (DFA), which sued the Office of Personnel Management and other federal agencies over the removals.
DFA argued that erasing these resources could hinder medical professionals from providing adequate care to patients.
In his ruling, Bates stated that the deletions appeared to negatively impact doctors’ ability to treat their patients and were made without public justification or a formal process for appeal.
He emphasized that federal laws and regulations typically require agencies to provide transparency and reasoning when making such changes.
The controversy began last month when President Trump’s administration ordered the removal of webpages related to gender ideology from federal health websites. The move was part of a broader executive order aimed at eliminating what the administration referred to as “gender ideology and extremism” from government agencies.
Doctors for America swiftly filed a lawsuit, claiming that the decision to scrub the information violated their ability to practice medicine effectively. The group contended that the resources were essential for guiding medical professionals in treating transgender and nonbinary patients.
In his written order, Judge Bates directed the federal agencies involved to consult with DFA and determine if any additional resources were also removed or significantly altered without proper notice. He ordered that any such materials be restored to their previous versions by February 14, 2025.
“Defendants shall, in consultation with Plaintiff, identify any other resources that DFA members rely on to provide medical care and that defendants removed or substantially modified on or after January 29, 2025, without adequate notice or reasoned explanation; and defendants shall, by February 14, 2025, restore those resources to their versions as of January 30, 2025,” Bates wrote.
During a hearing on Monday, Bates sharply questioned the administration’s legal justification for the removals. He expressed concern that the lack of transparency in the decision-making process left doctors without essential information, potentially harming patient care.
The ruling marks a setback for the Trump administration’s broader effort to reshape federal policies on gender and healthcare. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and medical organizations have welcomed the decision, arguing that access to accurate medical information is crucial for patient well-being.
Meanwhile, administration officials have defended the removal of the webpages, asserting that the content promoted what they view as a radical gender ideology.
A spokesperson for the White House stated that the administration is reviewing the ruling and considering its next steps.
As the February 14 deadline approaches, federal agencies will now be required to assess and reinstate any additional resources that were removed without due process.
The case is expected to spark further legal debates over government transparency, healthcare policy, and the role of executive authority in shaping public health resources.