U.S. Will Expel Transgender Military

The United States has confirmed plans to expel transgender individuals from its armed forces. This decision follows a policy signed by Donald Trump in late January, which banned transgender people from being recruited into the military. The move had faced legal challenges, but now the administration is pushing forward with its enforcement.

“To ensure that we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we are going to rid our military of transgender ideology,” Trump had declared at the time. In line with recent threats made by members of his administration, the Pentagon issued a memo on Wednesday confirming that transgender service members will be removed from active duty.

According to the document, military personnel who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, have a history of the condition, or exhibit symptoms related to it will be discharged. The memo, released as part of a legal proceeding, also specifies that even those already serving in the military may now face expulsion.

Limited Exceptions Under Strict Conditions

Only rare case-by-case exemptions will be granted, provided there is a “compelling government interest” in retaining certain individuals. To qualify for such an exemption, service members must prove they have never attempted to transition and that they have maintained “36 consecutive months of stability” in social and professional aspects of their lives.

Regarding recruitment, exceptions may also be made under the same “compelling government interest” clause. However, prospective recruits must demonstrate their willingness and ability to comply with all military standards, including those related to gender.

Policy Implementation Timeline

These new measures are set to take effect within 30 days, according to the Pentagon memo.

The U.S. military had previously lifted its ban on transgender service members in 2016 during Barack Obama’s second term, marking a significant step toward inclusivity. This latest decision represents a major rollback of those policies.