President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to enforce a sweeping executive order to discharge all transgender individuals from the U.S. military upon taking office in January. Sources claim the order will categorize transgender personnel as medically unfit to serve, potentially affecting approximately 15,000 active service members. This directive would expand on Trump’s first-term policy, which barred new transgender recruits but allowed those already serving to remain.
The move has sparked alarm within the LGBTQ+ community, as it marks a significant reversal of protections reinstated by President Joe Biden in 2021. Biden’s order allowed transgender individuals to serve openly, promoting inclusion in the armed forces. Advocacy groups warn that the proposed ban could disrupt lives, careers, and military operations, reigniting heated debates over diversity in service.
Meanwhile, the controversy extends beyond the military, with lawmakers pushing to restrict transgender access to public facilities. Recently, House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced rules requiring the use of Capitol bathrooms based on biological sex. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender congresswoman, has pledged to follow the policies but remains a focal point in ongoing legislative battles over transgender rights.