The US Army has announced an immediate ban on the recruitment of transgender individuals and suspended all sex change-related medical procedures for current service members, following a new directive from the Pentagon. The policy change, which was confirmed on Friday via the Army’s official X account, comes after an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 27, mandating that the military adhere strictly to individuals’ biological sex, thereby eliminating gender identity considerations within the armed forces.
“Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused, and all unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members are paused,” the US Army stated in a post on its social media platform.
Despite the policy shift, the Army reassured current transgender service members that they would continue to be treated with “dignity and respect,” aligning with a recent statement by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who also emphasized the need to maintain respect for all military personnel, regardless of gender identity.
Advocacy groups have reported that as many as 15,000 transgender individuals are currently serving in various branches of the US military. However, official estimates suggest the number may be lower, possibly in the low thousands, according to Reuters.
The change comes amid growing concerns from military leadership regarding divisive initiatives, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which Hegseth has criticized. Earlier this month, Hegseth, a former Fox News host and US National Guard veteran, argued that the military’s strength lies in unity, not in diversity. He called for the elimination of DEI programs, asserting that such measures undermine military cohesion.
This move is a continuation of broader policy shifts that began under President Trump. In 2017, Trump issued a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, a policy later overturned by President Joe Biden in 2021. However, in his second term, Trump reinstated the ban and continued to rescind executive orders aimed at advancing the rights of racial minorities and the LGBTQ community. Trump’s administration has also sought to officially define gender as strictly male or female, rejecting the concept of gender fluidity.
