A transgender employee of the National Security Agency (NSA) is taking legal action against the Trump administration. Sarah O’Neill, an NSA data scientist, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of a presidential executive order and related policies. She argues they violate federal civil rights law.
The suit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Maryland, challenges President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on Inauguration Day. That order required the federal government to recognise only two “immutable” sexes—male and female—in all operations and materials.
O’Neill’s lawsuit states the order “declares that it is the policy of the United States government to deny Ms O’Neill’s very existence.” The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the litigation.
NSA employee sues Trump administration over order on transgender rights and two 'immutable' genders https://t.co/6xPnopcklq pic.twitter.com/k2qdt6Bda0
— The Independent (@Independent) December 22, 2025O’Neill asserts that the order spurred specific policy changes at the NSA. According to the suit, the agency cancelled its policy recognising her transgender identity and right to a harassment-free workplace.
Furthermore, it allegedly prohibited her from identifying her pronouns as female in written communications. It also barred her from using the women’s restroom at work.
O’Neill contends these policies create a hostile work environment. She argues they violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination applies to gender identity and sexual orientation.
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The lawsuit argues the executive order “rejects the existence of gender identity altogether.” It frames transgender identity as “gender ideology,” which O’Neill’s legal team says is discriminatory.
In addition to seeking an injunction to block enforcement of the order, O’Neill is asking the court to restore her workplace rights and protections. She is also seeking financial damages.
Trump’s order was among several executive actions taken at the start of his current term. His administration’s aggressive use of executive power has prompted numerous legal challenges. These cases continue to work their way through the federal court system.
