United States President elect, Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order that would remove all transgender personnel from the United States military if he is re-elected, according to a Daily Mail report.
This development has sparked concerns among the LGBTQ+ community, as it would mark a significant rollback of the inclusive policies reinstated under President Joe Biden.
Reports suggest that Trump’s executive order, set to be signed on January 20 if he returns to office, would result in the discharge of all transgender service members, regardless of their current status, by labeling them “medically unfit” for service.
During Trump’s previous administration, a similar policy barred transgender individuals from joining the armed forces while allowing those already enlisted to retain their roles. President Biden reversed this policy in his first week in office in 2021, restoring transgender individuals’ right to serve openly in the military.
The new directive, however, is expected to be broader and more controversial, potentially impacting the approximately 15,000 transgender individuals currently serving in the U.S. military.
This proposed military ban comes amid broader legislative efforts targeting transgender rights in the United States. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently supported a resolution restricting transgender individuals from using restrooms and facilities that align with their gender in federal buildings, including the U.S. Capitol.
Johnson stated, “All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex. Women deserve women-only spaces.”
The resolution has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, especially after Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, introduced legislation explicitly banning transgender individuals from using bathrooms matching their gender identity in federal facilities.
Sarah McBride, a transgender Democratic Representative from Delaware, has been at the center of the restroom debate. In a statement shared on social media, McBride expressed her willingness to abide by any rules agreed upon by her fellow lawmakers. However, the proposed measures have intensified concerns about the erosion of transgender rights at both the legislative and executive levels.
If enacted, Trump’s proposed executive order would not only reverse progress made under the Biden administration but also represent a significant challenge to transgender equality in the military and beyond. LGBTQ+ advocates warn that such policies could set a dangerous precedent, fueling further restrictions on transgender rights nationwide.
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