Following Defence secretary Pete Hegseth‘s announcement, the US Army announced Friday that it will no longer accept transgender to enlist or receive gender transition-related medical procedures.
“The #USArmy will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members,” the US Army said on X.
Earlier Hegseth said the American military will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the armed forces and will stop giving gender transition for service members, according to a court-filed memo.
The policy halts both new enlistments of transgender individuals and gender transition-related medical procedures for current service members, Guardian reported.
This directive follows a January executive order by President Donald Trump that specifically addressed transgender military personnel. The presidential order stated that a man identifying as a woman was “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member”.
The court document submitted to the US district court in Washington DC states: “Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused.
“All unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members are paused.”
Hegseth emphasised the need for military unity, stating that divisions based on identity compromise force strength. He referenced the presidential order, noting: “As the president clearly stated … ‘expressing a false “gender identity” divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service’.”
The defence secretary assured that existing transgender service members would receive respectful treatment, with additional guidance forthcoming from the under secretary of defence for personnel and readiness.
Current US department of defence data indicates approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel. Whilst advocacy groups estimate up to 15,000 transgender service members, official figures suggest lower numbers in the thousands.
Recent Gallup polling shows 58% public support for transgender military service, marking a decrease from 71% in 2019.
A federal judge has requested assurances from Trump administration lawyers that six service members challenging the executive order will remain in service pending further legal proceedings.
Legal action has been initiated by civil rights groups seeking a temporary restraining order after allegations that a service member faced the choice between male classification or military separation.
