Overview

• President Trump's January 27 executive order bans transgender individuals from serving openly in the military, reversing policies established under the Biden administration in 2021.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued directives to pause new transgender enlistments and suspend gender-affirming medical care for active service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
• The administration claims the policy prioritizes military readiness and cohesion, asserting that gender identity cannot meet the standards for service.
• Critics, including advocates like Navy veteran Paula M. Neira, argue the ban undermines civil rights and military inclusivity while perpetuating misinformation about gender-affirming care.
• Two federal lawsuits have been filed challenging the constitutionality of the ban, with advocates warning it could lead to broader exclusions of marginalized groups in the military.