As transgender Americans and parents of trans teens brace for the possibility of a second Trump administration, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order removing transgender individuals from the U.S. military, according to The Sunday Times. The directive, if implemented, could impact approximately 15,000 transgender service members, forcing them to leave their positions.

Trump reclaimed the White House on November 5, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, and is set to take office in January. An insider shared on November 24 that the directive could come at a challenging time for the military, which is already struggling to meet recruitment goals. “These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people,” the source noted, adding that “only the Marine Corps is currently meeting its recruitment targets, and some affected individuals hold very senior positions.”

If signed, the directive could be broader and more controversial than Trump’s earlier 2017 policy, which barred transgender individuals from joining the military but allowed those already serving to remain. President Biden reversed that ban in 2021 through an executive order during his first week in office. However, this new policy could lead to the full removal of all transgender service members, regardless of age, health, or service record.

Reactions to the potential policy have been divided. A pro-Trump supporter on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “This is not a controversial decision. Transgender soldiers will receive an honorable medical discharge and be thanked for their service.” Meanwhile, others questioned the impact on an already understaffed military. One critic argued, “The military is already struggling with recruitment, and now they’re removing people who want to serve?” Another added, “Serving the country shouldn’t be a battleground for gender ideologies.”

Trump’s Broader Stance on Transgender Rights

Trump’s proposed restrictions extend beyond the military and include the following:

• Education: His administration could exclude transgender students from Title IX protections, affecting policies on pronouns, bathrooms, and locker rooms.
• Healthcare: At least 26 states already restrict gender-affirming care for transgender minors, and Trump has proposed banning such care under Medicaid and Medicare.
• Sports: Trump and many Republicans oppose transgender women competing in women’s sports, a stance already reinforced by laws in 24 states.
• Military: Activists fear Trump will reinstate a ban on openly serving transgender members or limit their recruitment and access to gender-affirming care for service members and veterans.

With his return to the presidency, transgender individuals face significant uncertainty regarding their rights in multiple spheres, including the military, healthcare, education, and sports.