President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to remove all transgender active duty military members from the military. It would also permanently ban other transgender people from enlisting in the military in the future.
According to a British newspaper based in London, timesIf so, the executive order could be issued on January 20, 2025, the next president’s first day in office.
Under the rumored plan, an estimated 15,000 military personnel would be discharged from the hospital based on a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. They would be classified as “unfit for service” even though they meet all other service requirements, including physical ability, academic performance, and character.
Meanwhile, the ban on future service members comes at a time when most branches of the U.S. military are struggling to meet recruiting goals.
“These people will be forced out when the military can’t recruit enough people,” said an anonymous source familiar with Trump’s plans. times. “Only the Marine Corps has achieved recruitment numbers, and some of the people affected are in very senior positions.”
recent the study Transgender people are more than twice as likely to serve in the military compared to the general U.S. population.
President Trump has previously slammed diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the military. Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality who was dissatisfied with “weakness” and “effeminate” leadership within the military, was chosen to head the Pentagon.
Hegseth said the military should not be concerned with meeting the needs of a small number of service members, and that the funds spent on transition-related care are “more than a rounding error,” according to experts. He expressed the opinion that it corresponds to “. The military’s medical budget is a waste of money.
Conservatives advocate an end to comprehensive draft policies that would otherwise lead to joining the military, but conservatives in the South and elsewhere who rebel against what they see as liberal social policies promoted by the Pentagon are They claim that they are driving them out of rural areas.
The rumored executive order would be broader than the ban on transgender service members that President Trump imposed during his first term.
The plan prohibited future transgender recruits from joining the military, but existing members who have not been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, have not attempted a gender transition, and continue to adhere to grooming and dress standards. Residues were allowed as long as they remained isolated. Based on the gender assigned at birth.
The ban on transgender service members was repealed by President Joe Biden days after his inauguration in 2021.
Caroline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump’s transition team and incoming White House press secretary, denied the allegations contained in the report. times piece.
“These anonymous sources are making assumptions and have no idea what they are actually saying. Nothing has been decided on this issue,” she said. independent person. “No policy should ever be considered official unless it comes directly from President Trump or his authorized spokesperson.”
Rachel Brannaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, which advocates for LGBTQ inclusion in the military, said the proposed executive order would undermine military readiness and “create an even larger recruiting and retention crisis.”
“Surprisingly laying off more than 15,000 service members would increase administrative burdens on combat units and strengthen unit cohesion, especially given that last year’s military recruitment goal fell by 41,000 soldiers. “This will undermine the economy and exacerbate critical skills gaps,” Brannaman said. “Not only will there be significant economic costs, but the loss of experience and leadership will likely cost 20 years and billions of dollars.”
The Human Rights Campaign also condemned the rumored plans.
“Banning the thousands of transgender service members who meet all qualifications for military service and have actively contributed to national defense for nearly a decade and served without incident would make our nation less secure. , is nothing but transphobia disguised as policy,” the HRC said. President Kelly Robinson said in a statement. “Transgender service members are patriots who have demonstrated dedication, skill, and commitment to protecting this country.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
