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The U.S. military has officially banned transgender individuals from enlisting and suspended all gender transition procedures for service members, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth filed in court on Monday.
Following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last month, the policy halts new enlistments for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria. Additionally, all scheduled and future medical procedures related to gender transition are now paused.
Hegseth stated that transgender individuals currently serving will be “treated with dignity and respect,” but further details on their status are pending. While advocacy groups estimate up to 15,000 transgender service members, officials suggest the actual number is much lower.
A Gallup poll released Monday showed 58% of Americans support transgender individuals serving in the military, down from 71% in 2019.
Last week, a federal judge requested the Trump administration ensure that six military personnel challenging the policy are not discharged before court hearings proceed. Civil rights groups filed for a temporary restraining order after a service member reported being removed from female barracks and denied access to female restrooms.
Miriam Perelson, a 28-year-old transgender soldier at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, said she was relocated to a cot in an empty classroom after being barred from the female sleeping area.
The ruling marks a significant shift in military policy and has sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ rights advocates. Legal challenges are expected as the policy is scrutinized in court.
