Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at removing what he describes as “transgender ideology” from the military, marking a controversial rollback of LGBTQ rights.
Announced aboard Air Force One, Trump also unveiled plans to create a U.S. version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
The order reinstated service members dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and removed diversity initiatives within the armed forces.
Speaking at a Republican congressional retreat in Miami, Trump declared, “To maintain the world’s most lethal fighting force, we will eliminate transgender ideology from the military.”
The executive order asserts that adopting a gender identity inconsistent with biological sex contradicts the discipline required of service members. Trump previously introduced a transgender troop ban during his first term.
A separate order targeted diversity programs, stating they “weaken leadership and erode force readiness.” Discussions on gender identity and historical narratives labeling America’s founding documents as racist or sexist were also prohibited.
These announcements coincided with the start of Trump’s second White House term and the Pentagon’s welcome ceremony for his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.
Under prior Democratic administrations, policies allowing open transgender service were introduced, reversed by Trump, and later reinstated by President Joe Biden.
While transgender individuals represent a small fraction of the U.S. military—about 15,000 out of over two million—advocates warn that their dismissal could worsen recruitment challenges amid declining enlistment numbers.
Trump also reiterated plans for a domestically produced missile defense shield inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, though critics have raised concerns about its suitability for intercontinental threats.
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