Pentagon Implements Transgender Military Ban Following Trump Directive

New policy mandates the identification and discharge of transgender service members by June 2025, prompting legal challenges and widespread criticism.

The Pentagon has issued guidance requiring the separation of transgender troops diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria within 60 days, as directed by a Trump executive order.
The new policy prohibits transgender individuals from enlisting or attending service academies and cancels scheduled gender-affirming surgeries for current service members.
Critics, including LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and lawmakers, argue the ban is discriminatory, undermines military readiness, and wastes taxpayer investments in trained personnel.
Legal challenges have been filed against the policy, with organizations like Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign asserting it is unconstitutional and harmful to national security.
Estimates suggest the removal of thousands of transgender service members could cost the military billions in lost training investments and recruitment expenses.