In the wake of the recent election, speculation arose regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on transgender individuals serving in the military. A report from The Times, a British newspaper, suggested Trump was planning to issue an executive order on his first day in office to discharge all transgender service members and prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting in any branch of the armed forces.
However, Trump’s team has firmly dismissed these claims. Incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified the situation, stating that “no decisions on this issue have been made.”
Fox News further reports:
“These unnamed sources are speculating and have no idea what they are actually talking about. No policy should ever be deemed official unless it comes directly from President Trump or his authorized spokespeople,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital in a statement.
SPARTA Pride, a nonprofit organization advocating for transgender military personnel, told Military.com this week there are approximately 15,000 transgender personnel stationed around the world, including in combat zones.
During Trump’s first term, he announced via Twitter in July 2017 that the U.S. would no longer allow transgender individuals to serve “in any capacity.” Previously, the Obama administration allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the military and get taxpayer-funded gender-affirming treatments while serving.
Trump cited “tremendous medical costs and disruption” after announcing the roll back of the policy. After legal challenges, a revised policy was implemented in 2018 that only prohibited individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria from serving, unless they had not undergone a sex change and were “stable in their biological sex.”
Trump’s Military Vision: Combating “Woke” Policies
President-elect Trump has frequently criticized what he describes as “woke” practices within the military. He argues that some senior leaders prioritize initiatives like diversity, equity and inclusion over core military objectives, such as combat readiness and strategic planning.
Republicans, from Trump on down, attribute the ongoing recruitment shortfall to wokeism in the military, arguing that the promotion of progressive ideals has alienated traditional recruitment demographics.
A Military Recruitment Crisis
Amid the backdrop to these discussions is a growing crisis in military recruitment. In 2022, the U.S. Army fell 25% short of its recruitment goals, missing its target by approximately 15,000 soldiers. Other branches, including the Navy and Air Force, have faced similar struggles in attracting new talent.
Analysts point to a range of factors behind these recruitment challenges, including a shift in the military’s cultural and operational priorities. Critics argue that policies emphasizing progressive social goals—such as diversity training, the inclusion of politically charged topics and a focus on non-traditional issues like climate change—may have alienated traditional recruits. Historically, the military has appealed to young men motivated by patriotism, adventure and a commitment to national service.
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Never mind what Trump may do, just go ahead and claim (invent) something which you think will make him look bad to your political faction.