Key Highlights
- TSA officer Danielle Mittereder sues Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem over a Trump-era executive order.
- The order reclassified transgender individuals as the sex they were assigned at birth, barring them from patting down travelers.
- Mittereder argues that this executive order has hindered her career advancement and caused humiliation to herself and coworkers.
Transgender TSA Officer Sues Over Gender Identity Discrimination
TSA officer Danielle Mittereder, who identifies as a woman but was born male, is suing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem over an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The order, titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” reclassified transgender individuals as their sex assigned at birth, thereby prohibiting them from performing certain duties like patting down travelers.
Mittereder joined the TSA in June 2024 after successfully completing her training. She was trained to conduct full-body pat-downs of female passengers and received positive feedback on her performance. However, with President Trump’s executive order issued on his first day back in office, Mittereder found herself unable to perform these duties due to her gender identity.
Impact on Mittereder’s Career
The February 2025 directive from the TSA required Mittereder to ask for assistance each time she would otherwise have needed to conduct a pat-down, exposing her gender identity to co-workers and passengers. This change not only made her feel humiliated but also hindered her career advancement. According to the lawsuit, Mittereder was reassigned to a “limited duty” status, which prevented her from trading shifts or picking up overtime.
Furthermore, Mittereder faced backlash from coworkers who no longer wanted to work with her due to the legal order. In May 2025, one of her colleagues expressed discomfort working alongside Mittereder, citing “the law” as a reason for their decision.
Legal Action and Expert Perspectives
Mittereder’s attorney Jonathan Puth emphasized that she simply wants to do her job but is being denied the opportunity due to her gender identity. “She’s good at her job, she wants to go to work and do her job every day,” said Puth. “And she’s not allowed to do it, for the sole reason that she is transgender.” The lawsuit names Noem as the defendant, seeking a court order preventing the agency from enforcing the February directive.
Gregory Miraglia, a retired police officer and LGBTQ+ activist, commented on the broader implications of this case. “The anti-trans sentiment within the federal government is driven by an element of fear,” he stated. “It’s unfounded in science and fueled by a lack of understanding, awareness, and acceptance of what science has told us about gender.” Miraglia further noted that similar situations may be prevalent across other agencies.
The case highlights ongoing debates around transgender rights and the impact of executive orders on workplace policies. As Mittereder pursues legal action, she hopes to restore her ability to perform her duties while also advocating for a more inclusive environment in federal agencies.
