Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Subpoena for Trans Minors' Medical Records

U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon rejects DOJ's demand for UPMC Children's Hospital records, citing privacy concerns and 'abject cruelty'

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A federal judge has issued a final order rejecting the U.S. Department of Justice's demand for medical records of minors who received gender-affirming care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital. U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon said the families of four UPMC patients who fought the subpoena have persuaded her that the records could not be effectively stripped of identifying details, given the depth of the DOJ's request. Bissoon said the DOJ's 'rhetoric surrounding gender-affirming care reflects callous indifference, if not abject cruelty' and that 'there is more than a 'whiff' of ill-intent' in the agency's actions.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant victory for the privacy rights of transgender minors and their families, who have faced increasing government scrutiny and attempts to limit access to gender-affirming healthcare. The judge's strong rebuke of the DOJ's conduct highlights growing concerns about the politicization of transgender healthcare issues and the need to protect vulnerable populations from government overreach.

The details

The DOJ subpoenaed the UPMC Children's Hospital last year for records relating to transgender patients, as part of more than 20 similar demands made of hospitals across the country. The subpoenas were met with opposition by the parents and guardians of transgender patients, as well as state attorneys general and governors. Judge Bissoon said the families have persuaded her that the records could not be effectively anonymized given the DOJ's broad request. She said the DOJ's 'rhetoric' on gender-affirming care 'reflects callous indifference, if not abject cruelty' and that 'there is more than a 'whiff' of ill-intent' in the agency's actions.

  • The DOJ subpoenaed the UPMC Children's Hospital last year for records relating to transgender patients.
  • In November, U.S. District Judge Mark A. Kearney ruled in favor of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's effort to block a similar DOJ subpoena.
  • On March 4, 2026, U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon issued a final order rejecting the DOJ's demand for UPMC's records.

The players

U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon

The federal judge who issued the final order rejecting the DOJ's demand for UPMC's records, citing privacy concerns and the DOJ's 'abject cruelty' in its rhetoric surrounding gender-affirming care.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

The federal agency that subpoenaed the UPMC Children's Hospital and other hospitals across the country for records related to transgender patients, which the judge said reflects 'callous indifference, if not abject cruelty' and 'ill-intent'.

Gov. Josh Shapiro

The Pennsylvania governor who argued the DOJ was infringing on the states' regulation of the practice of medicine by demanding the records.

Mimi McKenzie

The Legal Director of the Public Interest Law Center, which represented the UPMC families and called the judge's decision 'a good day for the rule of law'.

President Donald Trump

The former president whose 2025 Inauguration Day executive orders reversing federal policy on transgender people and gender-affirming care prompted the DOJ's investigations and subpoenas.

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What they’re saying

“Reliance on historical norms, standards and, frankly, decency, cannot be seen as given.”

— U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

“Transgender Americans surely would appreciate its commitment to honoring and protecting theirs. They have reason to question, however, where in its vision they fit.”

— U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

“At a high level, the court is simply not allowing our government to trample the privacy rights of transgender minors.”

— Mimi McKenzie, Legal Director, Public Interest Law Center (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

What’s next

The DOJ has already appealed the judge's initial December ruling to the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, and is expected to appeal this latest final order as well.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant victory for the privacy rights of transgender minors and their families, who have faced increasing government scrutiny and attempts to limit access to gender-affirming healthcare. It highlights the growing concerns about the politicization of transgender healthcare issues and the need to protect vulnerable populations from government overreach.