Pentagon Halts Gender-Affirming Care for 4,240 Transgender Troops Amid Military Ban Enforcement

The Pentagon has halted gender-affirming healthcare for transgender troops as part of implementing President Donald Trump's policy to remove transgender individuals from the U.S. military. A memo signed by acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Stephen Ferrara directed the immediate cessation of new hormone treatments and surgical procedures for transgender service members. This action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's May 6 decision permitting the administration to enforce the ban while legal challenges continue, allowing the discharge of transgender troops who do not voluntarily leave by June 6. Critics, including Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, have condemned the policy as cruel and disrespectful, emphasizing the disparity in medical care standards. The policy shift occurs despite public support for transgender service members and after a federal court briefly reinstated gender-affirming care under an injunction that was later stayed by the Supreme Court. The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comment, and transgender troops express feeling targeted and unfairly treated under this directive.