Former US President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at removing what he referred to as “transgender ideology” from the military. This decision could be a significant setback for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly within the armed forces.
Alongside this action, Trump also pushed forward initiatives related to strengthening national defense, including a proposal to establish a US version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. The orders also included reinstating service members who had been dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and extending a government crackdown on diversity programs within the military.
Trump’s controversial stance on transgender troops was emphasized in his statement, asserting, “We will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military.” While the specifics of the new executive order have yet to be fully disclosed, a White House official described it as an effort to “eliminate gender radicalism in the military.”
This executive order marks another chapter in the ongoing debate over the inclusion of transgender individuals in the US military. Under the Obama administration, the military lifted its ban on transgender service members in 2016, allowing those already serving to do so openly and paving the way for transgender recruits to join. However, Trump’s first term saw a reversal of this policy, sparking criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
As the military continues to face recruitment challenges, some argue that limiting the pool of potential service members, including transgender individuals, could weaken the armed forces. President Biden’s administration moved to reverse Trump’s policy in 2021, allowing all qualified Americans to serve regardless of gender identity.
In addition to the military-related orders, Trump reiterated his goal of developing a version of the Iron Dome defense system in the United States, although some experts have questioned the feasibility of applying it to defend against long-range missile threats.