The Pentagon has halted gender-affirming medical care and launched a discharge process for transgender troops, following a Supreme Court ruling allowing President Trump’s controversial ban to take effect.
At a Glance
- Pentagon halts all gender-affirming medical care for transgender troops
- Approximately 1,000 transgender service members face discharge
- Supreme Court ruling clears way for Trump’s transgender military ban
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth enforces 30-day self-identification deadline
- Critics say the policy undermines military cohesion and readiness
A Rapid Reversal in Military Policy
A newly issued Pentagon directive orders the immediate suspension of gender-affirming medical care for transgender service members, marking a significant departure from previous inclusion policies. The action comes on the heels of a Supreme Court decision permitting the enforcement of President Trump’s long-proposed ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
The ruling revives Trump’s 2025 executive order “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” effectively greenlighting a transition out of service for openly transgender troops. As reported by Politico, the Pentagon has begun reviewing medical records to identify affected individuals and initiate administrative separations.
Watch a report: Trump Signs Executive Order to Revise Pentagon’s Policy on Transgender Troops.
Forced Out in 30 Days
According to Newsweek, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has mandated a 30-day self-identification period for active-duty transgender personnel, with a July 7 deadline set for National Guard and Reserve forces. Troops who identify will be processed for separation, barring select exemptions for critical roles—though only under recognition of their biological sex.
The Associated Press reports that as many as 1,000 transgender troops are currently at risk of being discharged. Hegseth’s directive aligns with a larger campaign he’s described as a “return to traditional military values,” a point he punctuated with the message: “No More Trans @ DoD.”
Backlash from Legal and Military Advocates
The move has drawn sharp rebukes from civil rights organizations. Jennifer Levi, Director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, called the ruling “disgraceful,” warning that it “will ultimately result in a military that is weaker, more vulnerable, and less stable,” according to GLAD’s public statement. Critics say the decision abandons service members who meet or exceed military standards purely due to their gender identity.
Meanwhile, social media campaigns like #NoMorePronouns have emerged both defending and criticizing the Pentagon’s action. In one viral tweet, Hegseth’s allies praised the administration’s posture as a long-overdue shift in defense culture.
What Comes Next
The Pentagon’s policy allows limited exemptions for transgender troops deemed essential to combat missions but only under the recognition of their assigned sex at birth. As outlined in a Defense Department memo, the administration defends the changes as a measure to prioritize “military excellence and readiness.”
Trump’s broader campaign against what he calls “wokeness in uniform” has continued to reshape defense policy. Whether this effort enhances cohesion or exposes the armed forces to reputational and operational risk remains a divisive question.
