Pentagon to Expel Transgender Service Members Under New Trump Directive

A Pentagon memo outlines plans to remove transgender individuals from active military service within 30 days, with limited case-by-case exemptions.

The policy stems from a January 2025 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, barring transgender individuals from military service.
The directive allows for rare exemptions if a 'compelling government interest' is demonstrated, requiring strict adherence to gender norms and stability criteria.
The move reverses policies allowing transgender service members, first implemented under President Obama in 2016 and reinstated by President Biden in 2021.
Critics view the decision as a significant rollback of LGBT+ rights, with legal challenges expected from advocacy groups.
The Trump administration has also ended federal funding for gender transition treatments for minors, aligning with broader efforts to restrict transgender rights.