US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order instructing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to overhaul the Pentagon’s policy regarding transgender service members, a move likely leading to a future ban on their military participation, reports AP.
The order also reinstates troops who had left or been discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, revises diversity programs, and initiates plans for a space-based missile defense system for the U.S.
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The transgender ban, widely anticipated, primarily sets the stage for such a ban, directing Hegseth to determine the specific implementation. Trump justified the policy change by claiming that transgender service members' presence undermines the commitment to a disciplined and honorable lifestyle, which he believes is crucial for military readiness.
Trump had attempted a similar ban during his first term, but it was delayed by legal challenges and ultimately reversed by President Joe Biden. Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign, who previously represented transgender troops, have vowed to challenge the order in court, echoing their success in blocking the earlier attempt.
On missile defense, Trump focused on enhancing U.S. space capabilities, directing the Pentagon to develop the technology to intercept missiles from space. The initiative builds on previous efforts, such as the establishment of U.S. Space Command and Space Force, and aims to counter growing threats from countries like China and Russia, which are advancing space-based weapons.
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The executive order also addresses COVID-19 vaccination-related discharges, offering reinstatement to over 8,000 troops expelled for refusing the vaccine. Though the order may not drastically increase re-enlistment, it includes provisions for back pay and mandates that all returning service members meet military standards.
Trump’s order also seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the military, insisting that they promote divisive ideologies. The order prohibits any promotion of race- or sex-based preferences, gender ideology, or theories deemed un-American. Pentagon and Homeland Security officials are now tasked with reviewing and removing such programs, with a progress report due in six months.
In response, the Air Force clarified its earlier removal of historical content, such as the Tuskegee Airmen and WASPs, from training materials, stating that these were temporarily excluded for editing and would be reinstated in the curriculum.