The United States Armed Forces are often looked to as pillars of strength and sacrifice, as our nation’s heroes and protectors. Those who serve should be celebrated for their bravery and dedication, but debate over whether or not transgender individuals should be able to serve undermines the American values of equality and freedom that our military defends.
President Donald Trump has made his stance on the matter abundantly clear, promising to “restore the Trump ban on transgender in the military.” In prioritizing transphobic beliefs over the merit and hard work of transgender soldiers, Trump’s decision will weaken the military rather than strengthen it.
In a 2017 tweet made during his first term in office, Trump announced that “the United States Government will not accept or allow … Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.” The 2019 ban that followed caused many to face the choice between their identity and their career, reversing a 2016 Obama administration policy that allowed transgender individuals to openly serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
In 2021, former President Joe Biden signed an executive order undoing the Trump administration’s ban, stating in a White House news release that “America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive.” The same day Trump was sworn into office for his second term, the reversal of Biden’s executive order was one of his priorities. Although this reversal does not immediately restore the 2019 ban, it creates the possibility for a new ban to take its place, threatening between 9,000 to 14,000 transgender troops.
Trump’s actions demonstrate a continued hostility toward transgender individuals and contradict the core American values of freedom and equality. The discrimination against service members based on their gender identification is of no benefit to anyone and does nothing more than deprive brave individuals of their ability to defend our country. Rather than implementing policies rooted in hate and the fear of change, Trump should focus on fostering unity within the military and valuing service members for their abilities, regardless of their gender.
“I will restore the Trump ban on transgender in the military. I had it stopped, totally stopped, and then they approved it.”
In a July 2017 tweet, Trump declared that “the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.” This policy aimed to reverse a 2016 Obama administration policy allowing trans people to serve openly.
In 2021, Joe Biden signed an executive order reversing Trump’s first-term restrictions and allowing transgender service members to serve openly.
Trump’s reversal of Biden’s order doesn’t mean a ban is in force, but his Day 1 actions show his administration is paving the way to attempt to pass such a policy in the future.
Trump also revoked protections for transgender military personnel that former President Joe Biden had signed. There are an estimated 9,000 to 14,000 transgender troops.
