US President Donald Trump took a major step backwards for LGBTQ rights on Monday when he signed an executive order to remove what he called “transgender ideology” from the military.
Trump also demanded that the US create a missile defence system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome during a series of military-related statements on Air Force One.
Additionally, the presidential orders increased efforts to end diversity programmes in the military and reinstated service members who had been fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military to ensure we have the most lethal fighting force in the world,” Trump said during a Republican congressional retreat in Miami.
Trump, who had previously banned transgender soldiers, reaffirmed his opposition to gender diversity recognition.
He stated in his directive that “many mental and physical health conditions are incompatible with active duty” and that the military had been “afflicted with radical gender ideology to appease activists.”
According to the order, “A soldier’s dedication to an honourable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in personal life, conflicts with adopting a gender identity inconsistent with one’s sex.”
It went on to say, “The humility and selflessness expected of a service member are incompatible with a man’s claim that he is a woman and the demand that others respect this lie.”
In a different order, diversity initiatives in the military were condemned because they “erode lethality and force readiness by undermining leadership, merit, and unit cohesion.”
Additionally, it prohibited conversations about “gender ideology” and called theories that suggested the founding texts of the United States were sexist or racist “un-American.”
Trump’s second week in the White House began with the instructions, and his newly appointed defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, was welcomed at the Pentagon.
Despite reservations about Hegseth’s lack of experience and misbehaviour claims, the Fox News presenter and veteran of the military was confirmed.
“Mr. President, I appreciate your leadership.” We’ll carry out the orders! Hegseth declared on X.
In recent years, transgender Americans have encountered shifting military rules. Trump has frequently attempted to keep them out of office, while Democratic administrations have advocated for their open service.
President Barack Obama eased the US military’s prohibition on transgender service members in 2016, but during his first term, Trump postponed and eventually revoked the policy. After assuming office in 2021, President Joe Biden restored inclusive policies.
Even though transgender soldiers make up a relatively small portion of the US military—roughly 15,000 out of over two million personnel—their expulsion would put additional pressure on recruitment efforts as enlistment rates continue to drop.
Earlier this month, former Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin seemed to take issue with Trump’s position, stating, “Any military that turns away qualified patriots eager to serve is just making itself smaller and weaker.”
Despite the Iron Dome missile defence system’s shortcomings for intercontinental threats, Trump also reaffirmed his pledge to build a US version of it.
“We must start building a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defence shield right away,” Trump stated, emphasising that it would be made in the United States.
