Transgender NSA employee sues Trump over gender order
Transgender National Security Agency data scientist Sarah O’Neill has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Maryland seeking to block enforcement of President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day executive order requiring all federal operations and materials to recognize only two 'immutable' sexes, male and female. O’Neill alleges the order and follow‑on NSA policies — including revoking recognition of her gender identity, banning female pronouns in official communications, and barring her from women’s restrooms — create a hostile work environment and violate Title VII, citing the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling that sex‑discrimination protections extend to gender identity. She is asking the court to restore her workplace rights and protections and award financial damages.
📌 Key Facts
- Plaintiff Sarah O’Neill, a transgender NSA data scientist, filed suit in U.S. District Court in Maryland on Monday, reported Dec. 23, 2025.
- The lawsuit challenges President Trump’s Inauguration Day executive order directing the federal government to recognize only two 'immutable' sexes in all operations and printed materials.
- O’Neill says NSA, citing the order, rescinded its policy recognizing her transgender identity, prohibited her from using female pronouns in written communications, and barred her from the women’s restroom.
- The complaint argues these actions violate Title VII and rely on the Supreme Court’s 2020 decision that sex‑discrimination protections apply to gender identity.
- O’Neill seeks injunctive relief restoring her workplace rights and unspecified financial damages.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 0.8% of U.S. adults, or over 2.1 million people, identify as transgender.
How Many Adults and Youth Identify as Transgender in the United States? — Williams Institute
Transgender identification is higher among younger age groups, with 3.3% of youth aged 13-17 identifying as transgender compared to 0.8% of adults.
How Many Adults and Youth Identify as Transgender in the United States? — Williams Institute
Latinx, American Indian or Alaska Native, and biracial/multiracial people are more likely to identify as transgender than White people.
How Many Adults and Youth Identify as Transgender in the United States? — Williams Institute
An estimated thousands of transgender people work in civilian federal jobs, with about 15,000 in the military.
Transgender government employees see peril under Trump — Los Angeles Times
82% of transgender employees have experienced discrimination or harassment at work at some point in their lives.
More than 80% of transgender employees in the US have experienced workplace discrimination or harassment — Williams Institute
Transgender adults report higher rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness compared to non-transgender adults.
Trans People in the U.S.: Identities, Demographics, and Wellbeing — KFF