US Military Begins Removal of 1,000 Transgender Troops Following Trump’s Executive Order
The US Department of Defense has confirmed that it will begin the immediate removal of approximately 1,000 transgender troops, in compliance with a directive issued by former President Donald Trump.
The move follows a recent US Supreme Court ruling allowing the military ban to proceed while ongoing legal challenges are resolved. The ban, originally signed into effect by Trump in January, prohibits individuals with gender dysphoria or those identifying as transgender from serving in the military unless they receive individual waivers.
In a memo released Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military departments will start separating transgender service members who self-identified for voluntary separation before March 26, 2025.
“On conclusion of the self-identification eligibility window, the Military Departments will initiate involuntary separation processes,” the memo read.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, about 1,000 service members fall into the voluntary separation category, out of a total of over 4,200 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria currently in the military. Active-duty members have until June 6 to leave voluntarily, while reserve personnel have until June 7.
Trump’s January 27 executive order argued that allowing individuals to serve under a gender identity different from their biological sex fails to meet the rigorous standards of military service.
In response, the Pentagon issued a follow-up memo in February, declaring it would begin removing transgender personnel unless they are granted individual waivers, and would also block new transgender applicants from enlisting.
Transgender Americans have faced significant policy swings over recent years. Democratic administrations, such as that of President Biden, moved to allow open service for transgender troops. Trump’s policy reversals mark a return to exclusionary practices that critics say undermine inclusion and human rights within the armed forces.
