Trump signs executive orders banning transgender service members, dismantling DEI, and reinstating discharged troops

In a series of shockwaves through the military and political landscape, President Donald Trump has signed four sweeping executive orders aimed at reshaping the U.S. armed forces. The orders, signed aboard Air Force One last week, are already sending ripples across the Pentagon, setting the stage for a dramatic overhaul of military policies.

The most startling move: a reinstatement of the ban on transgender service members. First implemented in 2017 and overturned by President Joe Biden in 2021, this policy reversal puts an abrupt end to the progress made under Biden’s administration. Trump’s decision is being justified by new military standards that question the physical and mental readiness of transgender individuals to serve. The justification cites medical treatments such as hormone therapy and surgery, which are claimed to render service members unable to meet the rigorous physical requirements expected from active-duty troops.

The announcement of the ban comes shortly after Trump’s appointee, Pete Hegseth, was sworn in as Secretary of Defence. Hegseth, known for his staunch conservative stance, has long been an advocate for purging the military of what he sees as “woke” influences. His appointment signals a fundamental shift in the Pentagon’s direction, one that will likely prioritise traditional values over inclusivity.

Trump’s new orders go beyond just the transgender issue, however. He has also taken aim at the military’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, ordering their removal entirely. The move is part of a broader political campaign against DEI initiatives, which Trump has consistently criticised as unnecessary and divisive. Within hours of taking office, the President issued a directive to place all federal DEI office employees on paid leave, a decision that now extends to military personnel.

Meanwhile, Trump is also addressing the fallout from the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Under the new orders, thousands of service members discharged for refusing the vaccine will be reinstated, with their previous rank and benefits restored. These orders, a direct reversal of the policies under the Biden administration, will affect around 113 active and reserve troops, who had been let go due to their vaccine refusal. This move is expected to galvanise Trump’s base, sending a clear message of his commitment to reversing Biden-era policies.

Additionally, one of Trump’s orders involves the creation of a new missile defence shield for the U.S., a project that would involve the implementation of a space-based system capable of defending the country against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. Known as the “Iron Dome for America,” this system is designed to intercept aerial attacks before they reach U.S. territory. While the Iron Dome has long been operational in Israel, this proposal is yet another step in Trump’s ambitious military agenda, focused on strengthening America’s defences.

The combination of these executive orders marks a radical departure from the policies of the previous administration. Trump’s critics, including former military leaders and progressive lawmakers, have condemned these decisions as discriminatory and harmful to national security. However, Trump’s supporters argue that these actions are necessary to ensure the military remains strong, unified, and ready to defend the nation without the distractions of social engineering.

The military, with Pete Hegseth now in charge, is bracing for a series of rapid and controversial changes. Hegseth, in his first remarks after assuming the role, promised further executive actions would follow. Among them, more orders to cleanse the military of what he described as the “woke” elements and ensure it remains focused on readiness and discipline.

Trump’s actions may only be the beginning of a broader cultural shift within the U.S. military. As the orders are implemented, the nation will be watching closely to see how this reshaped military adapts to these new directives, and whether or not they can succeed in restoring the values Trump has championed since his return to office.