U.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at removing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles from the U.S. military, as well as rehabilitating service members fired for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during the pandemic. From now on, only two biological sexes should be recognized in the army – male and female, informs Reuters.
One of the decrees states that a “gender identity” that does not correspond to the sex at birth is inconsistent with military standards. The document also prohibits the use of non-standard pronouns in the armed forces, but leaves open questions regarding the future service of transgender soldiers and their possible removal.
The new US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has declared the elimination of DEI a priority of his policy, and has also promised to carry out large-scale reforms in the Pentagon. Trump’s executive order emphasizes that military academies must educate future officers in the spirit that America and its founding documents are the greatest force for good in human history.
During Trump’s first term, he already announced a ban on transgender people in the military. Although the ban has not been fully implemented, the Trump administration has halted the recruitment of transgender individuals, allowing those who have already served to remain in the service. Later, in 2021, President Joe Biden overturned the decision.
According to the US Department of Defense, the total number of military personnel in the country is about 1.3 million people. According to human rights activists, there may be about 15,000 transgender servicemen among them, although official data indicate much lower numbers.
The DEI policy, which Trump and his supporters say is inappropriate for the military, is a continuation of America’s practice of “affirmative action” in favor of minorities.
