How Many Transgender Personnel Serve In U.S. Military?
Donald Trump is set to unveil a new executive order that would prohibit transgender citizens from serving in the United States military, an echo of legislation he enforced during his last term in the White House.Trump, who criticized pro-transgender policy throughout his presidential campaign, was due to announce the new order on Monday, among his executive actions that have targeted gender identity.During Trump's first term, he prevented trans people from joining the military but allowed those already serving to continue.
The new orders aim to clarify the initial directives Trump issued shortly after his inauguration last week, which revoked protections for transgender troops established by former President Joe Biden.This new policy is expected to peel back efforts by Biden's administration to welcome transgender and non-gender conforming Americans into the U.S.
military.Newly-confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told the press on Monday that Trump's newest executive orders would include "reinstating troops who were pushed out because of COVID", "removing DEI inside the Pentagon," and supporting the development of an Iron Dome defense system for the U.S.Hegseth said an Executive Order concerning transgender troops would be announced today but did not give further details.With Trump reverting to policies from his last administration that will alter the careers of thousands of personnel, Newsweek examined how many military personnel identify as transgender.While the Biden administration attempted to encourage personnel to serve openly, there is limited data on how many members of the combined U.S.
Armed Forces are transgender. It is not data that the Department of Defense routinely surveys; what information is available is based on survey data gathered by organizations outside the U.S.
