Judge Blocks DOJ Subpoena Targeting Telehealth Transgender Care Provider

A federal judge in Washington state, Jamal Whitehead, has blocked a subpoena issued by the Trump administration's Department of Justice seeking patient records from QueerDoc, a telehealth provider specializing in transgender gender-affirming care. Judge Whitehead criticized the DOJ's investigation as an intimidation tactic aimed at eliminating gender-affirming treatments, calling it a fishing expedition driven by the administration's explicit agenda to end such care. The subpoenas, part of a broader DOJ initiative led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, followed President Trump's executive orders that restrict recognition of transgender identities and label gender-affirming care for minors as harmful, directing the DOJ to investigate providers. The DOJ defended its actions as efforts to protect children from what it terms mutilation under the guise of care, while the judge emphasized that the subpoena exceeded legitimate authority and abused judicial process by targeting lawful medical practices. Judge Whitehead granted QueerDoc's request to block the records' release but denied sealing the case, underscoring transparency in the legal challenge. This ruling represents a significant judicial check on the Trump administration's policies aimed at curtailing transgender healthcare.