Ninth Circuit: DOJ Subpoena for QueerDoc Records Upheld

• The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court's decision to block a subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice for records kept by QueerDoc.
• The investigation is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to ensure compliance with federal laws regarding 'gender affirming care.'
• The ruling may have significant implications for healthcare providers who offer such care, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and liability.

The goal of ending ‘gender-affirming care’ is not in and of itself an ‘improper’ policy objective.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court's decision to block a subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice for records kept by QueerDoc, a telehealth clinic that provides 'gender affirming care.' The ruling sends the case back to the district judge to consider QueerDoc's remaining arguments that the subpoena is overbroad and unduly burdensome. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the provision of gender-affirming care to minors, which has been at the center of a contentious debate among medical experts and policymakers. The Ninth Circuit's ruling underscores the importance of ensuring compliance with federal laws regarding the provision of such care.

The investigation into QueerDoc is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to ensure that healthcare providers are complying with federal laws. In 2025, the Justice Department sent more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in 'gender affirming' care, seeking records related to the prescribing of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors. This move was prompted by an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in his second inauguration, which directed federal agencies to enforce laws prohibiting or limiting certain medical procedures. The investigation has been ongoing for months, with QueerDoc arguing that the subpoena is overly broad and burdensome.

The Ninth Circuit's ruling may have significant implications for healthcare providers who offer 'gender affirming care' to minors. The decision suggests that the Justice Department has a legitimate interest in investigating whether such care is being provided in compliance with federal laws. This could lead to increased scrutiny of internal policies and procedures at healthcare clinics, as well as potential liability for non-compliance. Lawyers representing clients who provide gender-affirming care should be aware of this development and review their internal policies to ensure they are not inadvertently exposing themselves to liability.

Lawyers should be aware that this ruling may impact their clients' compliance with federal laws regarding the provision of 'gender-affirming care' to minors, and they should review their internal policies and procedures to ensure they are not inadvertently exposing themselves to liability.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News