Donald Trump is reportedly planning to reinstate and expand his previous ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military if he returns to the White House. According to sources cited by The Times, this new executive order would not only prohibit future trans enlistments but also medically discharge thousands of currently serving transgender service members. The policy is expected to be one of several high-profile executive orders issued early in his presidency.
During his first term, Trump banned transgender individuals from serving in 2017, citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption.” The ban took effect in 2019 but was later reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021. Critics warn that this new move could deepen recruitment challenges already faced by the armed forces, as roughly 15,000 transgender people are estimated to serve in the military today.
Rachel Branaman of the Modern Military Association of America stated, “Banning trans people from the military would undermine readiness and create an even greater recruitment and retention crisis”.
Military Impact and Pushback
Proponents of the ban, such as Pete Hegseth—Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense—argue that transgender individuals are “not deployable” and present “complications” in service. However, experts and activists dispute these claims, noting the critical roles transgender troops play across the armed forces.
“Abruptly discharging over 15,000 service members harms unit cohesion and exacerbates skill gaps,” Branaman said. With recruitment shortfalls already exceeding 41,000 troops last year, experts warn that Trump’s removing of skilled personnel would cost billions in lost training and weaken U.S. military readiness.
Paulo Batista, a transgender Navy analyst, emphasized the leadership vacuum such a policy would create. “You take 15,000 of us out—that’s 15,000 leadership positions. Every one of us plays a vital role,” he said.
Broader Implications for Civil Rights
The proposed ban reflects broader trends in Republican policies targeting transgender Americans. During his campaign, Trump pledged to revoke LGBTQ+ protections and block gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth nationwide. The GOP’s 2024 platform lists anti-trans initiatives, such as restricting access to sports and bathrooms, among its top priorities.
Critics argue that targeting such a small portion of the population—trans people comprise less than 1% of Americans—sends a damaging message. “These policies signal vulnerability to America’s adversaries,” Branaman warned.
Despite the outcry, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed the reports as speculation, stating that “no decisions on this issue have been made”. However, the specter of another transgender troop ban raises concerns about both the future of military policy and the treatment of marginalized groups under a potential second Trump presidency.