“Our code of ethics is, ‘First do no harm,’ and if you’re caught between an institutional demand and your ethical code, you have to resolve it in favor of the ethics code,” Dr. Brinkmeyer said.

Department leaders promised to continue to provide necessary care to transgender veterans even after the rule changes.

The order allows soldiers to keep serving in the military under rules established by the Biden administration.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the policy is “soaked in animus” and discriminates against transgender people.

A federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender people from the armed forces, holding that the directive was “soaked in animus” toward a minority group and was “unabashedly demeaning.