Trump to Restrict Military Service for Transgender Individuals

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to sign three orders that will significantly alter the policy of the American armed forces. According to information provided by two White House officials, the orders address the ban on military service by transgender troops, the reduction of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and the reinstatement with back pay of service members dismissed for refusing vaccination, reports NewsBox.

These orders were issued two days after Pete Hegseth was sworn in as the new Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is known for his criticism of DEI programs and his intention to implement 'cultural changes' in the military, including the removal of so-called 'woke' troops, according to a report by CNN.

"Military service should prioritize combat readiness and effectiveness, rather than political or social experiments," Hegseth stated previously.

One of the key points of the new order is the prohibition of transgender service members. Trump had implemented this decision in 2017, but it was reversed by his successor Joe Biden in 2021. Trump now intends to enforce stricter rules, introducing new standards related to gender pronouns and physical readiness of the troops.

According to White House officials, the ban is necessitated by the need to maintain high levels of physical and mental readiness in the armed forces.

"The process of gender transition requires extended medical intervention and recovery, making the service members temporarily unable to fulfill combat duties. This reduces military readiness," states a memo accompanying the order.

According to data from the Palm Center research institute, there were about 14,000 transgender members in the U.S. armed forces in 2018. Trump previously suggested exceptions for those already serving or not undergoing gender transition, but it remains unclear if such exceptions will be included in the new order.