Trump revokes Biden order allowing transgender troops in bid to rid DEI from military
President Donald Trump has made a significant policy change by revoking a Biden-era order that allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military. This move comes as part of a broader effort by Trump and his Defense Department secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within the U.S. armed forces.
The order, known as Enabling All Qualified Americans To Serve Their Country in Uniform, was signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021. However, Trump, who promised during his campaign to reinstate the ban on transgender troops that he imposed during his first term, wasted no time in overturning this policy after taking office.
With an estimated 9,000 to 14,000 transgender individuals currently serving in the military, Trump’s executive order has sparked controversy and concern among the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The new administration has also taken swift action to undo other Biden-era policies, citing a need to focus on “lethality” and deemphasize what they view as divisive DEI initiatives.
In a related development, Trump appointed Matthew Lohmeier, a vocal critic of diversity programs within the military, to be the Air Force’s next undersecretary. Lohmeier was previously fired as a Space Force lieutenant colonel for his outspoken views on Marxism, diversity efforts, and critical race theory in the military. His self-published book, “Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military,” has further fueled debates on these issues.
Republican lawmakers have also taken steps to restrict transgender rights within the military, with a recent defense policy bill including an amendment that bans irreversible transgender care for minors in the military healthcare system. This move reflects a broader conservative backlash against transgenderism and DEI practices in various sectors of society.
Furthermore, Trump’s order includes provisions that limit the use of taxpayer money for transgender services, prohibit certain gender-related requirements at federal facilities and workplaces, and mandate segregation by biological sex in federal prisons and shelters. While the order does not address transgender bathroom usage or sports participation on a nationwide level, it aligns with Trump’s stance on recognizing only two genders and upholding traditional gender norms.
As this controversial policy change takes effect, it underscores the ongoing debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, diversity, and inclusion in the military and society at large. The implications of Trump’s executive order will likely continue to spark discussions and activism on these important issues in the coming months.
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