Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender troops, likely setting in motion a future ban on their military service.
Trump also ordered troops to be reinstated who had left voluntarily or been booted for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, outlined new rollbacks in diversity programs, and provided for the deployment of a space-based missile defense shield for the U.S. Trump’s order on transgender troops sets the stage for a future ban, citing conflicts with military readiness.
The order also includes plans for a space-based missile defense system and reinstatement of troops who refused COVID-19 vaccines. The order also abolishes diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the Defense Department and Coast Guard, aiming to eliminate race-based preferences and divisive concepts.
Transgender rights advocacy groups are planning to file a lawsuit against President Trump’s executive order targeting transgender service members, marking the first legal challenge to this policy.
The order, which questions the suitability of transgender individuals for military service, is being contested by GLAD Law and the National Center For Lesbian Rights on constitutional grounds. The order prohibits the use of pronouns in the military but leaves unanswered questions about the fate of transgender soldiers currently serving.
This legal action represents a significant pushback against Trump’s conservative agenda at the Pentagon.