Overview
- The Supreme Court's May 6 decision allowed the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military while legal challenges proceed.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's May 8 memo sets deadlines of June 6 for active-duty troops and July 7 for reservists to voluntarily separate from service.
- Approximately 1,000 transgender service members who have self-identified will begin the voluntary separation process immediately, according to Pentagon officials.
- The Department of Defense will review medical records to identify additional service members with gender dysphoria for involuntary separation starting after the deadlines.
- Civil rights groups continue to challenge the ban in lower courts, arguing it violates equal protection guarantees and undermines military readiness.