President Donald Trump recently signed four executive orders related to the military. One of these orders reinstates a ban on transgender people enlisting and serving openly, as well as cracking down on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the armed services. This order seeks to uphold high military standards by prohibiting transgender individuals due to medical and mental health constraints related to gender dysphoria. It also mandates the Department of Defense to update military medical standards, end the use of gender-based pronouns, and prevent certain facilities’ shared usage. While implementation of this order will take time, it leaves uncertainty about existing transgender service members’ fate regarding transition-related care received through Tricare.
Trump’s previous restrictions on transgender military service categorized service members as exempt or non-exempt based on their coming-out status before or after the restriction. Although a waiver option was provided, only a single waiver was granted in the policy’s four-year duration. The new order questions the feasibility of physically meeting the military’s readiness requirements following transition surgeries and the financial burden of funding transition-related care through Tricare. Various reports suggest differing numbers of transgender individuals currently serving in the military, with estimates ranging from approximately 2,150 to 15,500.
Additionally, another order signed by Trump dismantles diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the military, disbanding related offices and requiring a curriculum review for service academies to align with the new directive. These actions reflect Trump’s focus on restricting diversity and transgender rights efforts in his second term. His prioritization of maintaining strict military standards and alignment with traditional gender norms are evident in these recent executive orders.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com