In a move that could significantly impact the composition of the U.S. Armed Forces, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order aimed at banning all transgender individuals from serving in the military.
According to a report by The Sunday Times, which cites defense sources, this potential directive could lead to the expulsion of approximately 15,000 transgender service members as early as Trump’s first day in his second term in office.
Impact on military recruitment
The proposed ban comes at a time when the U.S. military is already facing recruitment challenges. “These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people,” a source familiar with Trump’s intentions told the news outlet.
The source further highlighted that “only the Marine Corps is hitting its numbers for recruitment, and some people who will be affected are in very senior positions.”
The directive is expected to be more extensive than the ban from Trump’s previous term, which restricted transgender individuals from joining the military but allowed those already serving to remain. President Joe Biden later revoked this policy, but the new order is said to demand the removal of all transgender personnel, irrespective of their service duration.
Trump’s stance on military policies
Throughout his political career, Trump has been vocal about his opposition to what he terms “woke” military practices. He has criticized certain high-ranking officers for prioritizing diversity and inclusion over combat effectiveness.
During his first term, Trump took to Twitter to announce his stance, stating, “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow….” In a subsequent post, he declared, “Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming….”
The potential executive order reflects Trump’s ongoing commitment to reshaping military policies and could reignite debates over inclusivity within the armed forces. As the nation awaits official confirmation, the implications of such a ban continue to stir conversations across military and political circles.