Implementation of Trump’s Plan to Exclude Transgender Individuals from the Military

The Pentagon has ordered the suspension of gender-affirming healthcare for transgender service members, in line with the implementation of President Donald Trump’s plan to exclude them from the U.S. armed forces, according to a memo reviewed by Reuters.

Immediate Halt to Hormone Treatments and Surgeries

In a directive addressed to military health officials, Stephen Ferrara, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, instructed that this measure be implemented without delay. The document states that all upcoming hormone therapies and gender-affirming surgeries must be halted.

The Pentagon referred all inquiries regarding the directive to the Defense Health Agency, which has yet to issue an official response.

Harsh Reactions from Rights Advocates

Shannon Minter, from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, strongly condemned the decision, calling it “needlessly disrespectful and cruel.”

“It is shameful that our nation’s military would treat its members this way,” he stated.

A transgender service member, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, expressed their frustration: “This is yet another slap in the face to those of us who serve honorably.”

“If there was any doubt left, there is none now: transgender service members no longer receive the same standard of medical care as their peers,” they added.

Supreme Court Clears Path for Ban

On May 6, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to enforce its ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. This decision enables the armed forces to discharge current transgender troops and reject new applicants, pending the outcome of ongoing legal challenges.

La semana pasada, Reuters reported on a memo in which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth instructed that transgender service members who do not voluntarily leave must be dismissed by June 6.

Thousands Affected by the Policy

According to officials, approximately 4,240 transgender individuals are currently serving in the active-duty military and National Guard. Advocacy groups estimate the number is even higher.

President Trump signed an executive order in January, shortly after returning to office, reversing a policy established under his predecessor Joe Biden, which had allowed transgender individuals to serve openly.

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Public Support in Decline

A Gallup poll released in February showed that 58% of Americans support allowing openly transgender individuals to serve in the military—a decrease from 71% in 2019.

Hegseth’s Conservative Stance

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth has embraced a conservative agenda on cultural issues, including opposition to diversity initiatives within the Pentagon. Last month, he publicly condemned gender-affirming care for military personnel on social media.

“If this is true – we will find any way possible to stop it,” he wrote in response to an article claiming the Pentagon would resume treatment for transgender troops.

“Taxpayers should NEVER pay for this lunacy,” he added.

A Policy Rollback After Years of Progress

The suspension of gender-affirming care for transgender service members represents a major rollback of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. military. This decision reverses several years of gradual progress that began under the Obama administration and continued under Biden, who had repealed Trump’s earlier ban in 2021.

Human rights groups argue that the policy not only marginalizes a vulnerable minority but also undermines the morale and mental health of dedicated service members.

Legal Uncertainty Ahead

While the directive is currently being enforced, several legal challenges are underway. Civil rights attorneys are preparing to argue that the policy constitutes unconstitutional discrimination based on gender identity.

Until those cases are resolved, transgender troops face growing pressure—both institutionally and medically—as they continue to serve in an increasingly hostile environment.

A Deeply Political Debate

The controversy over transgender military service is part of a broader cultural clash concerning identity, diversity, and federal policy. Trump’s stance aligns with other moves to roll back LGBTQ+ protections, often justified by fiscal or ideological arguments.

Public remarks from figures like Pete Hegseth illustrate this conservative shift, highlighting a vision of the military that excludes gender diversity.

Conclusion: A Climate of Uncertainty for Transgender Troops

With gender-affirming care suspended and enforcement of the new directive underway, transgender service members find themselves in a vulnerable position. Stripped of essential medical care and facing administrative pressure, their future in the military remains uncertain—hinging on upcoming legal and political developments.

While the national debate continues to divide public opinion, the human impact of this policy is already being felt in the ranks of the U.S. military.