Trump

Court Upholds Trump Ban on ‘Transgender’ Service Members

A federal appeals court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration to enforce its prohibition on transgender-identified individuals from serving in the military.

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled a lower court had afforded “insufficient deference” to the secretary of war to enforce strict medical standards on service members.

The decision stays Biden-nominated Judge Ana C. Reyes’s March 18 preliminary injunction that had placed the Pentagon’s policy on ice after several transgender-identifying service members filed a lawsuit to prevent the policy’s enforcement.

Judge Reyes is the “first openly LGBT” person to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and “is a longtime Democrat Party donor,” The Federalist reports.

Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump nominee, authored the Court of Appeals’ decision and explained the Hegseth Policy “is likely constitutional because it reflects a considered judgement of military leaders and furthers legitimate military interests.”

“The government identifies several legitimate military interests that the Hegseth Policy advances,” Judge Katsas continued. “Chief among them is military readiness. … Secretary Hegseth had before him evidence that treatments for gender dysphoria would limit deployability and may not be effective. … His predecessors unanimously agreed that these concerns are serious ones.”

In May, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a separate preliminary injunction in a related case that had prohibited the Pentagon from disqualifying transgender-identified individuals from military service. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson had dissented from the Court’s decision.

Judge Katsas cited the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling as a further reason for staying Judge Reyes’ preliminary injunction.

“The Supreme Court has already held that the government is likely to succeed on its contention that the Hegseth Policy does not violate equal protection,” Judge Katsas wrote.

Judge Neomi Rao, also a nominee of President Trump, joined the Court of Appeals’ majority opinion. Judge Cornelia Pillard, a nominee of former President Barack Obama, dissented.

Just one week after taking office for the second time, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order, Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness, that made it the policy of the U.S. government to “establish high standards for troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity.”

The order properly explained,

This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria. This policy is also inconsistent with shifting pronoun usage or use of pronouns that inaccurately reflect an individual’s sex.

The Pentagon then issued a directive on February 26 disqualifying individuals with a current diagnosis, or exhibiting symptoms, of gender dysphoria from military service. The directive also stipulates:

  • All service members will only serve in accordance with their sex.
  • Pronoun usage within the military must reflect service members’ sex.
  • Sleeping, changing and bathing facilities will be designated based on biological sex.
  • The Department of Defense will not pay for transgender medical interventions.

The directive reversed two previous presidential policies, implemented by the Obama and Biden administrations, that had relaxed the military’s policy of prohibiting “individuals with gender dysphoria, a medical condition associated with clinically significant distress,” from serving in the military.

Between 2015 and 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense spent over $52 million providing transgender medical interventions to active-duty service members.

Following the Court of Appeals’ ruling, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted a meme depicting his foot kicking “Woke Culture” and “DEI Military” out the front door of the Department of War.

“This administration has done a great deal from day one to remove the social justice, politically correct and toxic ideological garbage that had infected our department. To rip out the politics,” Secretary Hegseth told hundreds of our nation’s top military leaders in a speech in September.

“No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions. No more debris.”

Now, two of our nation’s highest courts have upheld one of the administration’s initiatives to restore a “warrior ethos” to the military and end the “woke” at the Department of War.

Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver issued a statement after the Court of Appeals’ ruling, saying, “The D.C. Court of Appeals ruling affirms that the Equal Protection Clause does not require the armed forces to disregard its legitimate medical standards that are essential for mission success.”

“The ‘Hegseth Policy’ is grounded in objective medical criteria and the natural differences between the sexes to ensure that every servicemember is fully prepared — physically and mentally — to meet the challenges of defending our nation.”

The Daily Citizen will keep you updated of any important developments in this case.

The case isTalbott v. United States.

Related articles and resources:

Hegseth: No More ‘Woke’ At Department of War

Supreme Court Lets Trump’s ‘Transgender Military Ban’ Take Effect

SecDef Hegseth: Military Reinstating 8,700 Wrongly Discharged Servicemembers

Biden-Appointed Judge Blocks Trump Ban on ‘Transgender’ Service Members

Pentagon Ends Paid Travel Expenses and Time Off for Abortions

Photo from Getty Images.

President Trump: ‘We’re Saying Merry Christmas Again’

President Trump declared the return of “Merry Christmas,” an open invitation for Americans to be bold and unafraid to share their Christian faith this Christmas season.

“We’re saying MERRY CHRISTMAS again!” the White House posted on X on December 1, alongside a picture of the smiling president beside a fully decorated Christmas tree in the Oval Office.

During his first campaign for president, then-candidate Trump would regularly assure crowds that “We’re going to be saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.”

“You go into a department store. When was the last time you saw ‘Merry Christmas?’ You don’t see it anymore,” Trump contended during a speech at Liberty University in January 2016. “They want to be politically correct. If I’m president, you will see ‘Merry Christmas’ in department stores, believe me, believe me.”

The president, known for speaking in generalities and hyperboles, certainly recognized a very real cultural phenomenon.

According to a 2022 report produced by the International Institute for Religious Freedom, Christians often engage in “various forms of self-censorship” in response to secular intolerance.

The report, focused on France, Germany, Columbia and Mexico, found secular intolerance has a “chilling effect on Christians, which directly affects their capacity to express their faith freely in society.” That reality is surely present in the United States as well.

Could such self-censorship influence Christians to wish others a more general greeting of “Happy Holidays” – to include Kwanzaa, Yule and Hanukah – rather than “Merry Christmas?” Perhaps.

Either way, Christians should be intentional in looking for opportunities – especially during Christmastime – to share our faith with others. Scripture urges us to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV).

This year, a secular “chilling effect” certainly hasn’t stopped the White House from going all-out in their Christmas decorations, perhaps as a part of the president’s desire to strengthen the Christmas season.

On Dec. 1, first lady Melania Trump unveiled the White House’s Christmas decorations.

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Christmas trees and holiday decorations surround the Cross Hall during an advance tour of the 2025 White House Christmas decorations on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. The theme for this year’s White House Christmas decorations is “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The first lady personally selected the White House’s 2025 Christmas theme, “Home Is Where The Heart Is,” and appointed renowned designer Hervé Pierre to oversee the implementation of her creative vision. The theme is meant to illuminate the “heartfelt character of America within the People’s House.”

Mrs. Trump decorated the White House with 25,000 feet of ribbon; 10,000 butterflies; 700 feet of garland; 120 pounds of gingerbread; 75 signature wreaths with classic red bows; and more than 50 Christmas trees.

According to the White House, the first lady drew creative inspiration from “the joys, challenges, and frequent motion derived from motherhood and business.”

“The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” America’s first lady reflected.

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Christmas trees and holiday decorations surround the Cross Hall during an advance tour of the 2025 White House Christmas decorations on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Mrs. Trump’s decorations include specially themed rooms, including the “Fostering the Future Red Room,” which the White House described as “a transformational experience dedicated to the foster-care community.” Blue butterflies contrast with the red color to symbolize the meaning of transformation and renewal.

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Blue butterflies are seen in the Red Room during an advance tour of the 2025 White House Christmas decorations on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Blue Room features the official White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan, commemorating Gold Star Families “with gold stars and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of every U.S. state and territories – a tribute to the resilience, bravery, and sacrifice of our military personnel and their families.”

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: The White House Christmas tree is seen in the Blue Room during an advance tour of the 2025 White House Christmas decorations on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In the White House’s East Room, “Patriotic exhibits featuring America’s signature red, white, and blue” highlight the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence according to the theme, “Home is Where the Heart Is: America, Our Home,” Fox News reports. On the trees are 56 eagle ornaments representing every state and territory; and 250 stars representing America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: The “America 250” logo is seen on a Christmas tree skirt in the East Room during an advance tour of the 2025 White House Christmas decorations on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“This Christmas, let’s celebrate the love we hold within ourselves, and share it with the world around us,” Mrs. Trump said. “After all, wherever we are, we can create a home filled with grace, radiance, and endless possibilities.”

The stunning Christmas decorations reflect so many important pieces of our nation – from foster families to Gold Star families to our shared status as American citizens.

Yet as Christians, we know the true reason we celebrate the Christmas season: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV).

From our families to yours, Merry Christmas!

Related articles and resources:

Wait No More

Christmas Stories

Examining the Evidence of Christmas

Connect with Christ Through Song This Christmas Season

Finding True Joy at Christmas

Traditions: Old and New Ways to Celebrate Christmas

The Purpose of Christmas

Street-Smart Faith: Speaking Truth with Grace

J.John: Winsomely Sharing the Hope of the Gospel

John Smoltz: Unashamed of the Gospel

Child Corrects First Lady Jill Biden: ‘Happy Christmas!’

Photos from Getty Images.

Trump Admin: ‘The Days of Anti-Christian Bias in the Federal Government are Over’

Apple founder Steve Jobs famously said you can’t connect the dots looking forward – you can only connect them looking backward – a truism of life that’s especially relevant as the federal government looks to root out anti-Christian bigotry.

Created by President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14202, “The Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” has released its initial findings of examples of religious bigotry during the previous four years.

They concluded, “A review of federal departments and agencies revealed a consistent and systematic pattern of discrimination against Christians during the Biden Administration. Where there should have been “equal justice under law” there was unequal treatment–policies and practices that singled out Christian people, Christian houses of worship, and Christian convictions for disfavored treatment.”

The dots they connect won’t come as a surprise to faithful readers of Daily Citizen or those who have been paying attention, but they’re still sobering to see listed all in one place.

Here are a few examples:

  • The Department of Labor eliminated the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and replaced it with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office.
  • Social media posts acknowledging such sacred celebrations as Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter were taken down while posts noting “Pride Month,” Ramadan and Diwali were left up.
  • Employees were forced to use preferred pronouns and include rainbow flags in communication regardless of faith objections.
  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission expanded the “Pregnant Workers Fairness Act” to include abortion and even suggested that denying males access to female restrooms constituted harassing conduct.
  • The Department of State likened homeschooling to child abuse.
  • The Department of Justice arrested individuals for praying and protesting outside abortion clinics – yet ignored protestors outside churches and pregnancy resource centers.
  • Requests for COVID-19 vaccine religious wavers were regularly ignored and denied.
  • Under the Biden administration, the FBI unfairly targeted “radical-traditionalist” Catholics, even labeling them as “domestic terrorism threats” given their opposition to abortion.

The reports also concluded that the Biden administration harassed Christian universities like Grand Canyon and Liberty, slapping extraordinary fines on them over unfounded or trumped-up charges. This past May, the Department of Education reversed course and removed a $37.7 million fine on GCU. The school had been previously accused of misleading graduate students.

During the last four years, anti-Christian bias has also been evident in what might be considered passive aggressive declarations. For example, back on Easter Sunday in 2023, the Biden administration declared it to be “Transgender Day of Visibility.” There were 364 other days they could have chosen – but they chose the day Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Over the years, we’ve seen religious bias on display in the foster care system where prospective parents have been told they have to play along with a child’s sexual confusion if they want to be permitted to serve. On college campuses, Christian groups have been told they can’t discriminate and have been told atheists should be permitted to be in leadership roles. Then there are the Little Sisters of the Poor being constantly harassed and told as an organization that they need to pay for abortifacients.

Thankfully, President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi are saying, “No more!”

The report concludes:

“The Task Force makes this commitment: the federal government will never again be permitted to turn its power against people of faith. Under President Trump and Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, in partnership with all members of this Task Force, the rule of law will be enforced with vigor, and every religion will be treated with equality in both policy and action. The days of anti-Christian bias in the federal government are over. Faith is not a liability in America–it is a liberty.”

Amen.

Image from Getty.

One Year Since Butler, Hatred Still Rages

Come this Sunday, it’ll be a year since Corey Comperatore was murdered while sitting in metal bleachers in a rural Pennsylvania field.

Killed because he decided to go with his family to a rally in support of the 45th president who was campaigning to become the 47th.

Shot because of hatred for President Donald Trump, a casualty of a deranged and demented ideology that holds violence can somehow advance a particular cause.

On that summer afternoon, President Trump was shot in the ear by his would-be assassin. Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch, who were attending the rally and sitting near Corey Comperatore, were also shot and seriously wounded but survived.

Copenhaver, who is 75, lost 30 pounds during his extended recovery and now walks with a cane. Dutch, age 58, lost 25 pounds. He can no longer drive or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.

American presidents have long been targeted by the unhinged and the haters. Back in 1835, President Andrew Jackson tried to beat back an assassin with his cane after the shooter’s first and second guns misfired. Presidents Lincoln, McKinley and Kennedy were all assassinated.

President Theodore Roosevelt was shot in the chest in 1912 but continued speaking. Plots to kill numerous other chief executives including FDR, Hoover, Truman and Nixon were all foiled. Someone fired at President Ford and missed; President Reagan was an inch from dying when an assassin’s bullet lodged in his lung.

We can draw distinctions from Scripture between righteous and unrighteous violence. Known as “Jus Ad Bellum” or “Just War Theory,” Augustine is credited with studying and coming up with criteria that applies to conflicts between nations. These principles include: “having just cause, being a last resort, being declared by a proper authority, possessing right intention, having a reasonable chance of success, and the end being proportional to the means being used.”

Obviously, the violence in Butler, Pennsylvania last year met no such bar and was instead raw vitriol that led to horrific violence.

Sadly, the same hate that has empowered multiple assassination attempts on President Trump’s life still rages red hot. It may not all be expressed with a gun, but it is nevertheless communicated in various awful ways.

After Texas’ flash floods devastated areas of South-Central Texas and killed over 100 people, including dozens of children, a Houston pediatrician tweeted:

“May all visitors, children, non-Maga voters and pets be safe and dry. Kerr county Maga voted to gut Fema. They deny climate change. May they get what they voted for.”

A former Houston mayoral appointee raged about Camp Mystic being for “whites only.”

The hate often manifests in the form of rude and crass language. On a recent episode of his podcast that’s supposed to focus on writing and writers, sportswriter Jeff Pearlman unleashed a string of expletives directed at President Trump, blaming him for the recent Los Angeles riots.

“My only joy is the knowledge that nothing in life brings you any sort of happiness, that you are soulless and that you will die soulless.”

Corey Comperatore’s obituary released by his family included the following tribute:

But above all, Corey was the quintessential family man and the best girl dad. His love for his wife Helen (Scott) Comperatore was a testament to the power of partnership and devotion. Together, they raised two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee Comperatore, who will carry forward his spirit of compassion. Also surviving are his mother, Karen (Denny)  Bird, his sisters, Kelly (Doug) Meeder and Dawn Comperatore Shaffer, his stepbrother, Steven (Megan) Warheit, his two beloved Dobermans, Ivan and Negan, and many nieces, nephews and great nieces.

Corey’s life was a reflection of his faith. He was a man of God who loved Jesus with every fiber of his being. His actions were guided by his unwavering belief, and he inspired those around him to live with purpose and grace. His ability to lift the spirits of everyone he encountered was unparalleled.

We continue to pray for the Comperatore family, for Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch who still suffer – and for all those so heavily burdened with such hate for their fellow man.

Image from Getty.

Mike Huckabee to President Trump: ‘I Believe You will Hear from Heaven’

It’s not too often that the public is afforded an opportunity to see the private correspondence between the President of the United States and a senior administration official.

But that’s what happened earlier this week when President Trump shared a text he received from Mike Huckabee, who is currently serving as United States Ambassador to Israel.

Here was the text:

Mr President, God spared you in Butler, PA to be the most consequential President in a century—maybe ever. The decisions on your shoulders I would not want to be made by anyone else. You have many voices speaking to you Sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice. I am your appointed servant in this land and am available for you but I do not try to get in your presence often because I trust your instincts.
No President in my lifetime has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945. I don’t reach out to persuade you. Only to encourage you. I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else’s. You sent me to Israel to be your eyes, ears and voice and to make sure our flag flies above our embassy. My job is to be the last one to leave.
I will not abandon this post. Our flag will NOT come down! You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU! It is my honor to serve you!”

It’s not clear how President Trump responded, but Ambassador Huckabee, who has been married to his wife, Janet, for 51 years, is known for his deep Christian faith. A former pastor of several churches in Arkansas, Governor Huckabee attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Coming under fire while running for president in 2016, Mr. Huckabee stated, “Life, marriage and family issues aren’t bargaining chips or political considerations. They are moral issues. I will never apologize for my faith in Jesus Christ, my convictions or my values. Period.”

As Christians, we’re commanded to pray for our leaders – and in doing so, we’re asking the Lord to influence and inform their leadership.

Writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul urged, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

We pray for our leaders because we’re commanded to do so – and because we all benefit when those leading us are divinely guided. We want our leaders to hear from heaven.

Of course, the Lord can communicate with anyone anyway He chooses to – but He most often seems to speak with us via His Holy Word, prayer, and also through the counsel of others.

It might be politically incorrect for a president to admit that he’s seeking God’s guidance, but there is plenty of precedent for doing so. We know George Washington prayed daily, as did John Adams.

After Abraham Lincoln died, John Hay, one of his secretaries, found this written in the 16th president’s own hand. It was dated September, 1862 – right in the middle of the Civil War:

The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party — and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true — that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By his mere great power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.

Lincoln was praying earnestly to learn and follow God’s will.

A video surfaced on Twitter of a pastors’ gathering at the White House just yesterday. Those assembled were praising and worshipping the Lord. This is a very good thing.

Over 163 years later, we pray that President Trump and all our elected leaders will similarly and earnestly seek to hear from heaven in these fragile and consequential days.