In a major setback for civil rights in the U.S., the military has begun implementing an order to remove around 1,000 transgender troops from service. This follows a Supreme Court decision upholding former President Donald Trump’s executive order that bars transgender individuals from serving.
According to a Pentagon memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, military branches will start separating those who had identified for voluntary discharge before March 26, 2025. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell added that those who do not exit by early June will face forced removal.
The crackdown stems from Trump’s January order, which argued that identifying with a gender different from one’s biological sex fails to meet the military’s strict standards. A February memo confirmed the policy, stating that transgender enlistments are banned unless waivers are granted.
LGBTQ advocates say this move reverses progress made under previous administrations, raising concerns about fairness and equality in the armed forces. For thousands of service members, the future now appears uncertain.
