Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to issue an executive order aimed at removing 15,000 transgender military personnel upon taking office in January 2025.
According to sources within the military, the order would medically discharge these service members over unfitness for duty.
This move could extend beyond Trump’s previous policy that only banned new transgender recruits while allowing current service members to stay.
Trump has long criticized what he sees as the focus on diversity and inclusion over military readiness.
The new directive, should it be enacted, would affect even those with years of service, reversing a decision by President Biden, who had lifted the ban.
Critics, including Rachel Branaman of the Modern Military Association of America, warned that such a decision could hurt the military’s effectiveness.
Removing thousands of service members would increase administrative burdens and worsen the ongoing recruitment challenges, potentially weakening U.S. defense capabilities.
The financial and leadership loss could take decades to recover from, according to experts.
