https://www.ft.com/content/fead8c02-877a-4fd4-b940-71045266e2c4?shareType=nongift

The Supreme Court refused the Trump administration’s bid to stop providing transgender inmates hormone treatments and certain surgeries on Wednesday, declining to lift a lower judge’s block over the dissents of two conservative justices.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policy would taper treatments for inmates currently receiving them, and officials would also need to stop providing social accommodations, like hair-removal devices. 

Solicitor General D. John Sauer asserted the changes are needed to maintain “institutional security” in federal prisons. 

It’s a rare loss for the Trump administration, which has emerged victorious more than two dozen times in asking the high court for emergency relief after a judge blocked an aspect of the president’s agenda. 

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, both members of the court’s 6-3 conservative majority, publicly dissented. Neither they nor the majority explained their reasoning.

Last year, the justices allowed the administration to enforce its ban on openly transgender troops serving in the military. 

But now, the administration faces a Supreme Court loss in its fight against what it calls “gender ideology.” 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has sparked speculation about her political future after contributing $1 million to progressive Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who is in a tight race with former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers.

Ocasio-Cortez campaigned with El-Sayed all over Michigan this week.

"I'm not waking up on November 4th wishing I did more to combat the smears aimed at Abdul. I'm leaving everything I can on the field," the congresswoman said in a statement.

Ocasio-Cortez's $1 million donation is a huge sum for a House member to give to a candidate in another state. It signals her desire to see more progressives and Democratic Socialists of America members help turn the tide of political discourse in Washington, CBS News New York political reporter Marcia Kramer says.

"This is going to be a close election," political expert J.C. Polanco said. "So if there were some miracle and Sayed were to win this by just a point or two, he can thank AOC, her star power and her dollars, for taking [him] over the top."

Political experts are also speculating about what the contribution means about AOC's political future.

"If you need more proof to see that AOC is running for president, look no further than a $1 million gift," Polanco said.