Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to issue an executive order that would remove all transgender service members from the U.S. military and impose a comprehensive ban on future enlistment of transgender individuals, according to defense sources. The move, which could be implemented on Trump's first day back in office on January 20, 2025, has already drawn sharp criticism from advocates who warn of severe consequences for military readiness and morale.
The proposed order would medically discharge approximately 15,000 active transgender personnel, deeming them unfit to serve. Sources told The Times that this decision would represent a significant escalation from Trump's first-term policy, which banned transgender individuals from joining the military but allowed those already serving to remain in their posts.
"These people will be forced out at a time when the military can't recruit enough people," one source familiar with the plans said. "Only the Marine Corps is hitting its recruitment targets, and some of those affected are in very senior positions."
Military advocates have expressed deep concern, arguing that removing thousands of experienced personnel could exacerbate existing recruitment shortfalls and harm national security. Rachel Branaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, said, "Abruptly discharging 15,000-plus service members adds administrative burdens to war-fighting units, harms unit cohesion, and aggravates critical skill gaps. It would take decades and billions of dollars to replace this loss of experience and leadership."
The reported plan comes at a time when nearly all branches of the U.S. military are struggling to meet recruitment goals, having fallen short by 41,000 recruits last year. Critics warn that discharging seasoned personnel would severely impact operational capabilities and create logistical challenges. Paulo Batista, a transgender analyst in the U.S. Navy, emphasized the potential fallout: "You pull one of us out, that means others have to cover. These jobs could take months or even years to fill," Batista said.
The potential ban is consistent with Trump's criticism of what he calls "woke" practices in the military. He has argued that some senior leaders prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives over combat readiness. Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, has echoed these views, calling medical care for transgender personnel an "extravagance the Pentagon cannot afford."
Transgender service members, however, have rejected these claims. Batista disputed the argument that the Pentagon faces spiraling costs due to gender dysphoria treatment. "There is no money being spent, it's just continued care," he said. "Kicking out the 15,000 would affect the whole fleet, the whole battalion. It's everyone."
The Pentagon reported that around 2,200 service members were diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2021, the year President Biden reversed Trump's previous transgender ban. However, privacy policies make it difficult to determine the exact number of transgender personnel currently serving.
The proposed ban has already drawn political backlash, with advocates warning it could undermine U.S. credibility and signal vulnerability to adversaries. "Should a trans ban be implemented, it would undermine the readiness of the military and signal vulnerability to America's adversaries," Branaman warned.
Despite the reports, Trump's transition team has denied that any final decision has been made. "These unnamed sources are speculating and have no idea what they are actually talking about. No decisions on this issue have been made," said Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team.
