Pentagon Blocks Transgender Service Members from Joining Military
The U.S. Army has announced a ban on transgender individuals joining the military and ceased facilitating gender transition medical procedures. The decision is part of broader military reforms led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo renaming Fort Liberty in North Carolina to Fort Roland L. Bragg.
The U.S. Army on Friday announced it would no longer allow transgender individuals to enlist and would cease "performing or facilitating" sex change operations.
This declaration came shortly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth implemented a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
"Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused, and all unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for Service members are paused," stated an Army post on X.
Despite the ban, the military branch assured that individuals with "gender dysphoria have volunteered to serve our country and will be treated with dignity and respect."
Hegseth's order is part of a broader initiative to reform the military by dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and concentrating on readiness and lethality.
"Our strength is our shared purpose, regardless of our background, how we grew up, our gender, or our race," he emphasized during a recent town hall. "In this department, we will treat everyone equally, respect all individuals, and evaluate based on merit and commitment to the mission."
In reaction to the military ban, 20 state attorneys general submitted a "friend of the court" brief supporting a lawsuit aimed at obstructing the enforcement of President Donald Trump's executive order prohibiting transgender individuals from military service.
"This administration's relentless attacks on our very small percentage of transgender Americans, who represent an increasingly vulnerable population, are cruel and unjust," stated Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. "I greatly respect anyone, including our transgender service members, who risks their lives in defense of our country."
Campbell condemned the attack on trans service members, asserting it contradicts the administration's purported respect for military personnel and veterans.
Joining Campbell, the coalition includes attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In a separate statement on X, the Army declared "DEI is dead" within the organization, and soldiers who were dismissed for refusing a COVID vaccine would be welcomed back with back pay.
Upon assuming office, Trump endorsed an executive order stating that identifying with a gender different from one's birth assignment is "not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member."
Current estimates suggest there are between 9,000 to 14,000 transgender service members, although exact numbers are not publicly available.
Between January 1, 2016, and May 14, 2021, the Department of Defense is reported to have spent approximately $15 million on transgender treatments—both surgical and nonsurgical—for 1,892 active-duty service members, according to the Congressional Research Service.
