U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to remove what he called “transgender ideology” from the armed forces. This decision is being seen as a rollback of LGBTQ rights, with implications for military policies regarding diversity and inclusion.
Trump made the announcement aboard Air Force One during a series of military-related updates. Along with targeting transgender issues in the military, the orders reinstated service members who were discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines and aimed to eliminate diversity programs within the armed forces.
“To ensure we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military,” Trump said at a Republican congressional retreat in Miami.
Trump, who had implemented a ban on transgender service members during his first term, reaffirmed his belief that recognizing gender diversity weakens the military.
In his executive order, he argued that “radical gender ideology” has negatively affected military operations to appease activists. He further claimed that certain mental and physical conditions linked to gender identity were “incompatible with active duty.”
The document also stated, “Adopting a gender identity inconsistent with one’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in personal life.” It continued, “A man’s assertion that he is a woman, and the demand that others honor this falsehood, is inconsistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”
Another order addressed diversity initiatives in the military, claiming such programs undermine leadership and cohesion. It banned discussions on gender ideology and criticized any interpretation of America’s founding documents as racist or sexist, calling such views “un-American.”
The announcement coincided with the Pentagon’s welcome ceremony for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s newly appointed defense secretary. Hegseth, a military veteran and media personality, was confirmed despite concerns over his qualifications and past allegations of misconduct.
At the ceremony, Hegseth expressed his commitment to carrying out Trump’s directives, saying, “Thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. We will execute!”
Transgender individuals have faced fluctuating military policies over the years. President Barack Obama had lifted the ban on transgender service members in 2016, but Trump reversed the policy during his first term.
Ex-President Joe Biden reinstated inclusive policies upon taking office in 2021.
While transgender troops account for a small portion of the military—about 15,000 out of over two million personnel—critics argue that banning them could exacerbate recruitment challenges amid declining enlistment rates.
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently commented on the matter, saying, “Any military that turns away qualified patriots eager to serve is just making itself smaller and weaker.”
Trump also revisited plans to develop a U.S. version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, calling for its immediate construction. “We need to immediately begin constructing a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield,” he stated, noting it would be built domestically.
