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Trump signs executive orders to reshape the military, including banning transgender troops

President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

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On Monday, President Donald Trump announced the signing of four executive orders aimed at reshaping the U.S. military. Key actions include reinstating a ban on transgender individuals serving in the armed forces, dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, reinstating service members discharged over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and initiating plans for a next-generation missile defense system referred to as Iron Dome for America.

Trump signed the orders aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from Florida. According to White House officials, these measures align with his administration’s broader goal of reversing policies implemented under President Joe Biden.

Banning Transgender Service Members
Trump's executive orders reinstate the ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, first implemented in 2017 during his initial term. President Biden had repealed the ban in 2021, allowing transgender individuals to serve openly. However, Trump’s new directive goes further by establishing stricter standards, stating that the physical and mental demands associated with gender transition surgeries are incompatible with military readiness.

It can take at least 12 months for someone to recover from transition surgeries, often involving heavy medication and follow-up care, a senior official stated, explaining the rationale behind the ban. In 2018, an estimated 14,000 transgender individuals were serving in the U.S. military, according to data from the Palm Center.

Ending DEI Programs in the Military
Another order targets the elimination of DEI practices across all branches of the military. Effective immediately, employees in federal DEI offices are placed on paid administrative leave. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, sworn in on Saturday, confirmed plans to review DEI policies and eliminate what he described as woke practices within the armed forces.

Hegseth told reporters, There are more executive orders coming, focused on removing DEI and ensuring the Pentagon prioritizes readiness and national defense.

Reinstating Troops Discharged Over Vaccine Mandates
A third executive order directs the reinstatement of active and reserve service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations. Those reinstated will receive back pay and benefits.
Although the Pentagon had already repealed the vaccine mandate in response

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