President Donald Trump, set to be inaugurated for a second term on January 20, is reportedly planning to issue an executive order that would remove transgender individuals from the U.S. military. This drastic measure could see over 15,000 active-duty personnel discharged, according to sources cited by The Times.
Trump’s stance on transgender service members is not new. In August 2017, during his first term, he directed the military to halt an Obama-era initiative that would have allowed transgender individuals to join the armed forces. His latest proposal, however, appears more stringent, potentially discharging even those with decades of service.
“These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people,” The Times quotes an anonymous source familiar with Trump’s plans.
The U.S. military comprises approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel, with transgender service members estimated at 15,000. The proposed executive order would result in their medical discharge, categorising them as unfit to serve. Critics argue this could exacerbate the military’s recruitment crisis, given that nearly all branches—except the Marine Corps—failed to meet their targets last year.
Rachel Branaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, warned of severe consequences.
“Abruptly discharging 15,000-plus service members, especially given that the military’s recruiting targets fell short by 41,000 recruits last year, adds administrative burdens to war fighting units, harms unit cohesion, and aggravates critical skill gaps,” she said.
Branaman continued; “There would be a significant financial cost, as well as a loss of experience and leadership that will take possibly 20 years and billions of dollars to replace.”
However, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, dismissed the speculation.
“These unnamed sources are speculating and have no idea what they are actually talking about. No decisions on this issue have been made,” she said.
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