Pentagon Halts Transgender Military Recruitment, Treatment

The U.S. military announced a ban on transgender individuals enlisting and halted gender transition procedures for active service members, following a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dated February 7. This decision aligns with an executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at restricting transgender service in the military. Critics argue the policy is a significant setback for LGBTQ+ rights, with civil rights groups already filing lawsuits and seeking restraining orders against the administration's actions. Despite this, Hegseth stated that existing transgender service members would be treated with 'dignity and respect.' Recent polling shows that public support for allowing transgender individuals to serve has dropped to 58%, down from 71% in 2019. The new restrictions mark a reversal from previous policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly during the Obama administration.