Second judge halts Trump's order targeting access to gender-affirming care

Washington — A federal judge in Seattle put a pause on President Trump's directive that seeks to restrict access to gender-affirming care for young people under the age of 19, becoming the second in so many days to halt the president's efforts to target access to the treatments.

The order from U.S. District Judge Lauren King was issued Friday as part of a legal challenge brought one week ago by a group of three states — Washington, Minnesota and Oregon — and three physicians who provide the care for transgender patients being treated for gender dysphoria.

King, appointed by former President Joe Biden, held a hearing earlier Friday on the states' bid to temporarily bar enforcement of Mr. Trump's order limiting access to gender-affirming care for young people. A brief entry on the court's docket indicated that King had agreed to grant a temporary restraining order and would issue a written order.