President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, a move that utilized transphobic rhetoric by claiming transgender identity is incompatible with being “honorable, truthful, and disciplined.” By May, the Supreme Court allowed the administration to proceed with the ban while legal challenges continued. Consequently, the Department of Defense began removing active service members and halting recruitment.
This policy is expected to end the careers of up to 25,000 service members. This action reverses policies from the Obama and Biden administrations that allowed for open service. While Trump attempted a similar ban in his first term, that effort was hampered by poor implementation and legal roadblocks.
This second attempt has been: Implemented earlier in the presidential term. Executed more competently. Driven by heightened transphobia, which has become a primary motivator for the Republican platform. The federal government is the nation’s largest employer; therefore, this ban sets a significant precedent. Critics argue that by codifying discrimination within the military, the administration is justifying future anti-trans policies in the private sector. This move signals a total departure from established procedural norms and marks a major escalation in the administration’s broader anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. The Queer God Squad responds from moral and religious perspectives.
