on october 4, the united states department of justice civil division filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint in "jane doe v. trump" and to oppose the application for a preliminary injunction, arguing instead "that challenge is premature several times over" and that secretary mattis's interim guidance, issued on september 14, 2017, protects currently-serving transgender personnel from involuntary discharge or denial of reenlistment. the lead author of the justice department's motion, ryan bradley parker, previously defended the military's ban on gay soldiers. in response, the plaintiffs filed opposition to the motion to dismiss on october 16, stating the interim guidance issued by secretary mattis explicitly prohibited accession of transgender individuals and provided guidance for medical treatment that contradicted existing policy. also on october 16, the attorney generals of fifteen states and the district of columbia, led by maura healey, attorney general of massachusetts, filed an "amicus" brief supporting the suit. in the brief, the states asserted that "[n]othing about being transgender inhibits a person’s ability to serve in the military or otherwise contribute to society" and that president trump's ban was "apparently announced without any consultation with top military leaders".