Pentagon Begins Removal of Up to 1,000 Transgender US Troops

Following a recent Supreme Court decision permitting the enforcement of a ban on transgender individuals in the military, the Pentagon has issued a directive to immediately begin separating up to 1,000 openly transgender service members and require others to self-identify within 30 days. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who issued the memo, expressed strong opposition to transgender inclusion in the military, stating the department is abandoning "wokeness" and will no longer use pronouns or tolerate transgender service members. The Defense Department will also review medical records to identify additional transgender personnel diagnosed with gender dysphoria, who will be involuntarily discharged, and will prohibit enlistment of individuals with this diagnosis. As of December 2024, there were approximately 4,240 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria, although the actual number may be higher. This directive echoes a similar memo from February, which was previously blocked by lawsuits pending the Supreme Court's ruling. The decision reflects a significant policy shift under the Trump administration's ban and has sparked ongoing legal and social controversy.