An Inauguration Day order from President Donald Trump claims that being transgender “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and is harmful to military readiness. On May 8, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive stating that “gender dysphoria is not in the best interest of the Military Services and is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security.” He set deadlines of June 6 and July 7 for active trans military members and reserve members, respectively, to separate from the military. After these windows, the directive states that military departments will “initiate involuntary separation processes.”
- January 20, 2025: Trump clears the way to ban transgender people from military service
- January 28, 2025: Trump signs new executive orders targeting transgender service members, military DEI programs
- May 7, 2025: LGBTQ+ legal groups ask judge to block trans military ban
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