A transgender employee of the National Security Agency (NSA), Sarah O’Neill, is entering a legal fight against the Trump administration, aiming to block an executive order and policies she contends violate federal civil rights law.
O’Neill, who works as a data scientist, is contesting President Trump’s Inauguration Day executive order mandating the recognition of only two immutable sexes, male and female, in all federal operations and printed materials.
The lawsuit, lodged in a U.S. District Court in Maryland, argues that Trump's order effectively denies Ms. O’Neill’s existence by disregarding her transgender identity.
The White House has not immediately commented on the ongoing case.
This executive order aligns with the sentiments expressed during Trump’s 2024 campaign and has prompted additional policies which O’Neill is also challenging.
Following the implementation of the initial executive order, O’Neill claims the NSA rescinded its previous policy that recognized her transgender identity and the right to a workplace free of harassment. Furthermore, she alleges she was prohibited from identifying her pronouns as female in emails and barred from using the women’s restroom at her workplace.
O'Neill asserts that these policies foster a hostile work environment, infringing upon her rights under Section VII of the Civil Rights Act, which has been interpreted to include gender identity following a 2020 Supreme Court ruling.
The Court stated, “We agree that homosexuality and transgender status are distinct concepts from sex. But discrimination based on them necessarily involves discrimination based on sex.”
O’Neill’s lawsuit maintains that the executive order disavows any recognition of gender identity, dismissing it as "gender ideology.” As part of her legal action, she seeks not only the restoration of her workplace rights but also financial damages.
Trump's executive order is among several swift actions taken during his presidency, which have faced numerous legal challenges over the years and continue to do so.
