in december 2017, the plaintiffs served a discovery request aimed at identifying when and on what basis president trump decided to ban military service by transgender persons. the defendants responded by claiming the information should be withheld on the basis of separation-of-powers and as part of the deliberative process privilege. judge kollar-kotelly issued two orders in february 2018: one to allow the designation of confidential documents, removing those so designated from public view, and another to ensure that confidential material is handled by both sides appropriately.