ON DAY ONE, TRUMP COULD REINSTATE A MILITARY BAN AFFECTING TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS

The U.S. military operates as a volunteer-based fighting force. That means people decide to sacrifice their time, well-being, lives, etc. so that we can all enjoy freedom. Gender really shouldn’t matter when it comes to a willingness to fulfill a patriotic duty; however, many people discredit the service of thousands of transgender warfighters. Sadly, a military ban on transgender service members is once again rearing its head as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office again in 2025.

Military Ban on Transgender Warfighters Could be Immediate Under Trump

Many experts believe Donald Trump will institute a military ban on transgender warfighters, and that it will come immediately.

The President-elect could use an executive order to institute a ban on transgenders in military branches on his first day, which would be January 20, 2025.

By doing so, around 15,000 active-duty troops would be affected, and the repercussions would be severe on multiple fronts.

Political Tug of War

Banning transgender warfighters from military service isn’t a new idea as Trump already did so in 2019 during his first term as President. This would lead to legal battles and a bunch of political moves:

• During the Obama administration, service members who were diagnosed with gender dysphoria could serve as their preferred gender. Trump would reverse this while in office.

• The Defense Department has argued that there was no ban, despite many viewing it that way, and that it stood by the restrictions, which ended presumptive accommodations, eliminating access to gender-affirming healthcare.

All of this came to be after Trump used social media in 2017 to speak on implementing a transgender military ban.

Ultimately, the Biden administration did away with Trump’s policy, which to the surprise of no one, is now being threatened with its own reversal during the President-elect’s second term.

Rejection and Ejection

Not only is the proposed military ban on transgender warfighters set to keep future recruits out but Trump’s policy could immediately result in the separation of service for current troops already serving.

There are many experts anticipating a slew of legal battles due to controversial plans by Trump with the military ban on transgender fighters simply adding to the growing list.

However, Trump’s team has pushed back on these claims, saying that “...unnamed sources are speculating and have no idea what they are actually talking about,” as said by future White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Any proposed transgender ban in the military would fall in line with recent Republican legislation as well as the framework of Project 2025.

There are worries that Trump will do away with civil rights protections for people in the LGBT+ community, a ban on access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth, and many other laws and rhetoric within the Republican party that are anti-trans.

Pete Hegseth, who doesn’t believe women in combat is a good idea, will lead the DoD and is also supporting Trump’s transgender military ban.

A Military Ban on Transgender Individuals Has Many Negative Repercussions

While the exact number remains unknown, there are around 15,000 transgender military members currently fighting for our freedoms.

Beyond the fact that this noble pursuit is being taken up by people willing to serve, it’s a weird time for the military. Recruitment might be getting better than in recent years but it’s still not at a great level.

Furthermore, the ban isn’t just getting rid of volunteers at a time when recruitment and retainment have many hurdles but it could hurt future efforts to attract warfighters—even those who are not a part of the LGBT+ community.

Critics are warning of the logistics and costs such a ban would bring the United States, including potentially billions of dollars over two decades to replace the level of expertise and leadership the military could lose as a result.

Any military ban on transgender service members takes away the opportunity from those defending the rights of us all. While healthcare costs are an important consideration, treating our nation’s heroes with dignity and respect should be a bare minimum regardless of our differences.

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