Donald Trump is reportedly planning to issue an executive order to remove all transgender members from the US military, adding to the concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Officials claim the order would lead to a medical discharge for transgender personnel, deeming them “unfit” for service, according to The Sunday Times.
During his first presidency, Trump had already imposed restrictions on transgender individuals joining the armed forces while allowing those already enlisted to continue serving. However, this new order would extend to all transgender members currently serving.
Set for enactment on his first day back as President, January 20, the executive order could affect approximately 15,000 active transgender military personnel. President Joe Biden had previously lifted Trump’s ban, recognizing about 2,200 service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria and many others identifying as a gender different from their birth.
Trump has consistently opposed the inclusion of transgender individuals in the military, framing it as part of his broader campaign against what he terms “wokeness” and “left-wing indoctrination.”
His plans include cutting funding to educational institutions that promote critical race theory, transgender topics, or what he considers inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content to children. He also aims to exclude transgender athletes from girls’ sports and eliminate classroom discussions on gender identity.
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Trump’s choice for defence, Pete Hegseth, shares similar views, arguing that including women and transgender personnel undermines US security, The Washington Post reports.
This stance was echoed by Vice President-elect JD Vance, who recently sparked controversy by suggesting in a podcast with Joe Rogan that some white children might be incentivized to identify as transgender for college admissions advantages into Ivy League schools.
