Judge: RFK Jr. overreached in push to restrict gender-affirming for minors

A federal judge in Oregon ruled Thursday that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. exceeded his authority in attempting to restrict gender-affirming medical care for minors, finding he failed to follow required administrative procedures. Judge Mustafa Kasubhai determined that Kennedy's push overstepped proper regulatory channels, though the excerpt does not specify the exact restrictions Kennedy pursued or their scope. The ruling represents a legal check on the Trump administration's efforts to tighten federal policy on transgender youth medical treatment, an issue that has become contentious across state and federal levels. Kennedy, who leads the health agency under Trump, has signaled an intention to limit access to gender-affirming treatments, which include puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries. The decision could constrain the administration's ability to implement such restrictions without following formal rulemaking procedures.