Overview

• President-elect Donald Trump and Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth have outlined plans to roll back policies on women in combat roles, citing concerns over military effectiveness and readiness.
• Hegseth has suggested firing senior military leaders associated with diversity initiatives or the Afghanistan withdrawal, a move that could reshape the Pentagon's leadership structure.
• The administration may reinstate a ban on transgender service members, a policy likely to face legal challenges based on past court rulings.
• Trump has expressed intentions to reverse the Pentagon's abortion travel policy and restore Confederate names to military bases, potentially clashing with existing laws and congressional authority.
• Critics and supporters are debating the implications of these proposals on military recruitment, readiness, and the broader cultural role of the armed forces.