{ "attribution": { "source": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:cadc-26-5236-2026-09-18", "cite_as": "NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:cadc-26-5236-2026-09-18)", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision", "version": "legal-2026-10-10", "fingerprint": "ewai:us:e7268f", "proof": "sha256:54a49aaa3ca1dbfcf3657d6403a1137484fc80bc917630cdaceb8a35068f6ac3", "jurisdiction": "us", "lang": "en", "publisher": "NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal", "terms": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om" }, "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "item": { "schema_version": "1.0.0", "id": "us:cadc-26-5236-2026-09-18", "jurisdiction": "us", "lang": "en", "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "brand": { "product": "NovaCopilot", "platform": "ExploreWorldAI", "infrastructure": "ExploreWorld Legal", "infrastructure_url": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "legal_entity": "Valkiv Ventures AB", "permanent_url": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot", "source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "powered_by": "Powered by NovaCopilot", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor" }, "sections": [ { "title": "Front matter", "paragraphs": [ "para_1", "para_2", "para_3", "para_4", "para_5", "para_6", "para_7", "para_8", "para_9", "para_10", "para_11", "para_12", "para_13", "para_14", "para_15", "para_16", "para_17", "para_18", "para_19", "para_20", "para_21", "para_22", "para_23", "para_24", "para_25", "para_26", "para_27", "para_28", "para_29", "para_30", "para_31", "para_32", "para_33", "para_34", "para_35", "para_36", "para_37", "para_38", "para_39", "para_40", "para_41", "para_42", "para_43", "para_44", "para_45", "para_46", "para_47", "para_48", "para_49", "para_50", "para_51", "para_52", "para_53", "para_54", "para_55", "para_56", "para_57", "para_58", "para_59", "para_60", "para_61", "para_62", "para_63", "para_64", "para_65", "para_66", "para_67", "para_68", "para_69", "para_70", "para_71", "para_72", "para_73", "para_74", "para_75", "para_76", "para_77", "para_78", "para_79", "para_80", "para_81", "para_82", "para_83", "para_84", "para_85", "para_86", "para_87", "para_88", "para_89", "para_90", "para_91", "para_92", "para_93", "para_94", "para_95", "para_96", "para_97", "para_98", "para_99", "para_100", "para_101", "para_102", "para_103", "para_104", "para_105", "para_106", "para_107", "para_108", "para_109", "para_110", "para_111", "para_112", "para_113", "para_114", "para_115", "para_116", "para_117", "para_118", "para_119", "para_120", "para_121", "para_122", "para_123", "para_124", "para_125", "para_126", "para_127", "para_128", "para_129", "para_130", "para_131", "para_132", "para_133", "para_134", "para_135", "para_136", "para_137", "para_138", "para_139", "para_140", "para_141", "para_142", "para_143", "para_144", "para_145", "para_146", "para_147", "para_148", "para_149", "para_150", "para_151", "para_152", "para_153", "para_154", "para_155", "para_156", "para_157", "para_158", "para_159", "para_160", "para_161", "para_162", "para_163" ], "kind": "front_matter" } ], "paragraphs": [ { "text": "United States Court of Appeals", "paragraph_id": "para_1" }, { "text": "FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT", "paragraph_id": "para_2" }, { "text": "____________", "paragraph_id": "para_3" }, { "text": "No. 26-5236 September Term, 2026", "paragraph_id": "para_4" }, { "text": "1:25-cv-00691-RCL", "paragraph_id": "para_5" }, { "text": "Filed On: September 18, 2026", "paragraph_id": "para_6" }, { "text": "Alishea Sophia Kingdom, Reg. No.", "paragraph_id": "para_7" }, { "text": "13131-089, et al.,", "paragraph_id": "para_8" }, { "text": "Appellees", "paragraph_id": "para_9" }, { "text": "v.", "paragraph_id": "para_10" }, { "text": "Donald J. Trump, in his official capacity as", "paragraph_id": "para_11" }, { "text": "President of the United States, et al.,", "paragraph_id": "para_12" }, { "text": "Appellants", "paragraph_id": "para_13" }, { "text": "------------------------------", "paragraph_id": "para_14" }, { "text": "Consolidated with 26-5310", "paragraph_id": "para_15" }, { "text": "BEFORE: Wilkins, Walker , and Garcia, Circuit Judges*", "paragraph_id": "para_16" }, { "text": "O R D E R", "paragraph_id": "para_17" }, { "text": "Upon consideration of the motion for stay pending appeal filed in No. 26-5236,", "paragraph_id": "para_18" }, { "text": "the opposition thereto, and the reply; and the letter filed September 3, 2026, which the", "paragraph_id": "para_19" }, { "text": "court construes as a motion to stay the district court’s August 26, 2026, order on appeal", "paragraph_id": "para_20" }, { "text": "in No. 26-5310; it is", "paragraph_id": "para_21" }, { "text": "ORDERED that the motion for stay in No. 26-5236 be dismissed as moot. It is", "paragraph_id": "para_22" }, { "text": "FURTHER ORDERED that the motion for stay in No. 26-5310 be denied.", "paragraph_id": "para_23" }, { "text": "Appellants have not satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay pending appeal. See", "paragraph_id": "para_24" }, { "text": "Nken v. Holder, 556 U.S. 418, 434 (2009); D.C. Circuit Handbook of Practice and", "paragraph_id": "para_25" }, { "text": "Internal Procedures 33 (2026).", "paragraph_id": "para_26" }, { "text": "Appellants have not shown a strong likelihood of success on the question of", "paragraph_id": "para_27" }, { "text": "whether Program Statement 5260.01 is arbitrary and capricious because the Bureau of", "paragraph_id": "para_28" }, { "text": "Circuit Judge Walker would grant the motion to stay in No. 26-5310 for the*", "paragraph_id": "para_29" }, { "text": "reasons in the attached dissenting statement.", "paragraph_id": "para_30" }, { "text": "United States Court of Appeals", "paragraph_id": "para_31" }, { "text": "FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT", "paragraph_id": "para_32" }, { "text": "____________", "paragraph_id": "para_33" }, { "text": "No. 26-5236 September Term, 2026", "paragraph_id": "para_34" }, { "text": "Prisons (BOP) did not adequately consider its own experience providing gender-", "paragraph_id": "para_35" }, { "text": "affirming care under its prior policy. See Int’l Dark-Sky Ass’n, Inc. v. FCC, 106 F.4th", "paragraph_id": "para_36" }, { "text": "1206, 1213 (D.C. Cir. 2024) (“An action is arbitrary and capricious when the agency", "paragraph_id": "para_37" }, { "text": "relies on inappropriate factors, fails to consider important aspects of the problem, or", "paragraph_id": "para_38" }, { "text": "ignores relevant evidence.”); Butte Cnty., Cal. v. Hogen, 613 F.3d 190, 194 (D.C. Cir.", "paragraph_id": "para_39" }, { "text": "2010) (explaining that “an agency’s refusal to consider evidence bearing on the issue", "paragraph_id": "para_40" }, { "text": "before it constitutes arbitrary agency action”). For example, BOP makes claims about", "paragraph_id": "para_41" }, { "text": "the security impact of providing gender-affirming care without addressing whether such", "paragraph_id": "para_42" }, { "text": "issues have occurred.", "paragraph_id": "para_43" }, { "text": "Moreover, appellants have not made a strong showing that the district court’s", "paragraph_id": "para_44" }, { "text": "order violates the PLRA or improperly grants class-wide relief. Additionally, appellants’", "paragraph_id": "para_45" }, { "text": "argument that the district court’s order is overbroad to the extent it affects the Program", "paragraph_id": "para_46" }, { "text": "Statement’s provisions regarding surgical procedures is likely forfeited because it was", "paragraph_id": "para_47" }, { "text": "not raised first in the district court. See Gov’t of Manitoba v. Bernhardt, 923 F.3d 173,", "paragraph_id": "para_48" }, { "text": "179 (D.C. Cir. 2019) (“Absent exceptional circumstances, a party forfeits an argument", "paragraph_id": "para_49" }, { "text": "by failing to press it in district court.”).", "paragraph_id": "para_50" }, { "text": "Because appellants have not made a strong showing that they are likely to", "paragraph_id": "para_51" }, { "text": "succeed on the merits, it is not necessary to address whether they have established", "paragraph_id": "para_52" }, { "text": "irreparable harm or whether the remaining factors favor a stay.", "paragraph_id": "para_53" }, { "text": "The Clerk is directed to enter a briefing schedule.", "paragraph_id": "para_54" }, { "text": "Per Curiam", "paragraph_id": "para_55" }, { "text": "FOR THE COURT:", "paragraph_id": "para_56" }, { "text": "Clifton B. Cislak, Clerk", "paragraph_id": "para_57" }, { "text": "BY: /s/", "paragraph_id": "para_58" }, { "text": "Selena R. Gancasz", "paragraph_id": "para_59" }, { "text": "Deputy Clerk", "paragraph_id": "para_60" }, { "text": "Page 2", "paragraph_id": "para_61" }, { "text": "WALKER, Circuit Judge, dissenting from the denial of the stay", "paragraph_id": "para_62" }, { "text": "in 26-5310:", "paragraph_id": "para_63" }, { "text": "In February 2026, the Bureau of Prisons issued Program", "paragraph_id": "para_64" }, { "text": "Statement 5260.01, titled “Management of Inmates with", "paragraph_id": "para_65" }, { "text": "Gender Dysphoria.” It announced the BOP’s decision to", "paragraph_id": "para_66" }, { "text": "“prioritize[]” psychotherapy in the treatment of federal", "paragraph_id": "para_67" }, { "text": "inmates’ gender dysphoria.1", "paragraph_id": "para_68" }, { "text": "The Program Statement also announced, among other", "paragraph_id": "para_69" }, { "text": "things, three policies related to that decision. First, the BOP", "paragraph_id": "para_70" }, { "text": "will no longer provide “sex trait modification surgeries.”2", "paragraph_id": "para_71" }, { "text": "Second, the BOP will not start inmates on hormone therapy,", "paragraph_id": "para_72" }, { "text": "and each inmate currently receiving hormones will begin an", "paragraph_id": "para_73" }, { "text": "individualized “tapering plan.”3 Third, the BOP will no longer", "paragraph_id": "para_74" }, { "text": "provide “social accommodations” like makeup and wigs, and", "paragraph_id": "para_75" }, { "text": "“when practicable,” the BOP will “remove or confiscate the", "paragraph_id": "para_76" }, { "text": "social accommodations” previously provided.4", "paragraph_id": "para_77" }, { "text": "On June 17, the district court issued an order, set to expire", "paragraph_id": "para_78" }, { "text": "90 days from then, that preliminarily enjoined the Government", "paragraph_id": "para_79" }, { "text": "from executing Program Statement 5260.01. On August 26,", "paragraph_id": "para_80" }, { "text": "the district court reissued the preliminary injunction with a new", "paragraph_id": "para_81" }, { "text": "order set to expire 90 days later.", "paragraph_id": "para_82" }, { "text": "I would grant the Government’s motion to stay the district", "paragraph_id": "para_83" }, { "text": "court’s August 26 order.5 “The government has established", "paragraph_id": "para_84" }, { "text": "that it is likely to succeed on the merits . . . , that it would likely", "paragraph_id": "para_85" }, { "text": "1 Add. 39.", "paragraph_id": "para_86" }, { "text": "2 Id. at 40–41.", "paragraph_id": "para_87" }, { "text": "3 Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_88" }, { "text": "4 Id. at 41.", "paragraph_id": "para_89" }, { "text": "5 The Government’s motion to stay the June 17 order is moot because", "paragraph_id": "para_90" }, { "text": "that order expired on September 15. Cf. Order at 1 (construing the", "paragraph_id": "para_91" }, { "text": "Government’s September 3, 2026, letter “as a motion to stay the", "paragraph_id": "para_92" }, { "text": "district court’s August 26, 2026, order”).", "paragraph_id": "para_93" }, { "text": "2", "paragraph_id": "para_94" }, { "text": "suffer irreparable harm without a stay, and that the balance of", "paragraph_id": "para_95", "court_paragraph": 2 }, { "text": "equities tips in its favor.”6", "paragraph_id": "para_96" }, { "text": "The government is likely to succeed on the merits because", "paragraph_id": "para_97" }, { "text": "the district court lacks the authority to reissue the 90-day", "paragraph_id": "para_98" }, { "text": "preliminary injunction first issued on June 17. In Doe v.", "paragraph_id": "para_99" }, { "text": "Blanche, Judge Randolph explained why the “practice of", "paragraph_id": "para_100" }, { "text": "issuing rolling injunctions” exceeds the limits imposed on", "paragraph_id": "para_101" }, { "text": "courts by the Prison Litigation Reform Act.7 The question", "paragraph_id": "para_102" }, { "text": "remains open in our circuit,8 and though the panel in Doe found", "paragraph_id": "para_103" }, { "text": "waiver on the record there,9 I would not find waiver on the", "paragraph_id": "para_104" }, { "text": "different and still-developing appellate record before us in this", "paragraph_id": "para_105" }, { "text": "new appeal.", "paragraph_id": "para_106" }, { "text": "The Government will likely suffer irreparable harm", "paragraph_id": "para_107" }, { "text": "without a stay because “[t]he Government is irreparably", "paragraph_id": "para_108" }, { "text": "harmed by ‘an improper intrusion by a federal court into the", "paragraph_id": "para_109" }, { "text": "workings of a coordinate branch of the Government.’”10 And", "paragraph_id": "para_110" }, { "text": "6 National Park Service v. National Trust for Historic Preservation", "paragraph_id": "para_111" }, { "text": "in the United States, No. 26A203, slip op. at 2 (U.S. Aug. 31, 2026).", "paragraph_id": "para_112" }, { "text": "7 172 F.4th 901, 926, 930 (D.C. Cir. 2026) (Randolph, J., dissenting).", "paragraph_id": "para_113" }, { "text": "8 See id. at 912 (majority op.).", "paragraph_id": "para_114" }, { "text": "9 See id.", "paragraph_id": "para_115" }, { "text": "10 Kingdom v. Trump, No. 26-5181, 2026 WL 1905418, at *2 (June", "paragraph_id": "para_116" }, { "text": "17, 2026) (quoting Miot v. Trump, No. 26-5050, 2026 WL 659420,", "paragraph_id": "para_117" }, { "text": "at *4 (Mar. 6, 2026) (Walker, J., dissenting)); see also Trump v.", "paragraph_id": "para_118" }, { "text": "California, Nos. 26A124 and 26A139, slip op. at 8 (U.S. Aug. 24,", "paragraph_id": "para_119" }, { "text": "2026) (per curiam) (granting a stay of a district court’s injunction", "paragraph_id": "para_120" }, { "text": "because that injunction “interfere[d] with the internal operations of", "paragraph_id": "para_121" }, { "text": "the Executive Branch.”); Mullin v. Doe, 146 S.Ct. 2121, 2127, 2133", "paragraph_id": "para_122" }, { "text": "(2026) (rejecting sub silentio our court’s contention in Miot, 2026", "paragraph_id": "para_123" }, { "text": "WL 659420 at *1–2, that “generalized assertions of injury are", "paragraph_id": "para_124" }, { "text": "insufficient to support a stay pending appeal” (cleaned up)); Trump", "paragraph_id": "para_125" }, { "text": "v. CASA, 606 U.S. 831, 859 (2025) (“When a federal court enters a", "paragraph_id": "para_126" }, { "text": "universal injunction against the Government, it improperly intrudes", "paragraph_id": "para_127" }, { "text": "3", "paragraph_id": "para_128" }, { "text": "the balance of equities tips in the Government’s favor for the", "paragraph_id": "para_129", "court_paragraph": 3 }, { "text": "reasons already considered when, on June 17, this court stayed", "paragraph_id": "para_130" }, { "text": "the preliminary injunction obtained by this same class of", "paragraph_id": "para_131" }, { "text": "plaintiffs against these same defendants.11", "paragraph_id": "para_132" }, { "text": "I therefore respectfully dissent.", "paragraph_id": "para_133" }, { "text": "on a coordinate branch of the Government and prevents the", "paragraph_id": "para_134" }, { "text": "Government from enforcing its policies against nonparties.” (cleaned", "paragraph_id": "para_135" }, { "text": "up)); Maryland v. King, 567 U.S. 1301, 1303 (2012) (Roberts, C.J.,", "paragraph_id": "para_136" }, { "text": "in chambers) (“Any time a State is enjoined by a court from", "paragraph_id": "para_137" }, { "text": "effectuating statutes enacted by representatives of its people, it", "paragraph_id": "para_138" }, { "text": "suffers a form of irreparable injury.” (cleaned up)); American", "paragraph_id": "para_139" }, { "text": "Foreign Service Association v. Trump, No. 25-5184, 2025 WL", "paragraph_id": "para_140" }, { "text": "1742853, at *3 (D.C. Cir. June 20, 2025) (“The district court’s", "paragraph_id": "para_141" }, { "text": "preliminary injunction inflicts irreparable harm on the President by", "paragraph_id": "para_142" }, { "text": "interfering with the national-security determinations entrusted to him", "paragraph_id": "para_143" }, { "text": "by Congress.”); Media Matters for America v. FTC, No. 25-5302,", "paragraph_id": "para_144" }, { "text": "2025 WL 2988966, at *19 (D.C. Cir. Oct. 23, 2025) (Walker, J.,", "paragraph_id": "para_145" }, { "text": "dissenting) (“The FTC has an interest in lawfully ‘enforcing", "paragraph_id": "para_146" }, { "text": "consumer protection laws,’ and it was irreparably harmed when the", "paragraph_id": "para_147" }, { "text": "district court enjoined its lawful activity.” (cleaned up)); William", "paragraph_id": "para_148" }, { "text": "Baude et al., Hart & Wechsler’s The Federal Courts and the Federal", "paragraph_id": "para_149" }, { "text": "System 388 (8th ed. 2025) (“The rule in Maryland v. King — that the", "paragraph_id": "para_150" }, { "text": "government as applicant for emergency relief suffers irreparable", "paragraph_id": "para_151" }, { "text": "injury whenever its statutes (or regulations) are enjoined — appears", "paragraph_id": "para_152" }, { "text": "now to be followed by most of the Justices. The satisfaction of the", "paragraph_id": "para_153" }, { "text": "irreparable harm prong in any case where the government seeks", "paragraph_id": "para_154" }, { "text": "emergency relief from an injunction of one of its programs is an", "paragraph_id": "para_155" }, { "text": "important reason why, in such instances, the Court’s analysis of the", "paragraph_id": "para_156" }, { "text": "merits predominates.” (citing Abbott v. Perez, 585 U.S. 579, 602 n.17", "paragraph_id": "para_157" }, { "text": "(2018); Republican Party of Pennsylvania v. Degraffenreid, 141 S.", "paragraph_id": "para_158" }, { "text": "Ct. 732, 733 (2021) (Thomas, J., dissenting from denial of certiorari);", "paragraph_id": "para_159" }, { "text": "Little v. Reclaim Idaho, 140 S. 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