Subpoenas demanded birthdates, social security numbers and addresses of patients who got gender-affirming care
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping demands for confidential transgender patient information from Rhode Island’s largest hospital that provides gender-affirming care to minors.
The US district judge Mary McElroy’s ruling on Wednesday is the latest setback for the US Department of Justice, with at least seven other federal courts having agreed to quash or limit the expansive civil subpoenas sent to more than 20 doctors and hospitals last summer.
McElroy’s decision also echoed similar concerns raised by judges surrounding the broad scope of the subpoenas, describing the justice department as having “immense prosecutorial authority and discretion” but no longer being trustworthy that it will enforce its power fairly and honestly.
“[The justice department] has proven unworthy of this trust at every point in this case,” McElroy wrote.
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