Trump’s Bold Plan to Expel Transgender Troops: 15,000 Military Members at Risk
Donald Trump is ready to make a massive change on his first day back in office—and this time, it involves kicking out thousands of transgender service members.
A report from The Times reveals that Trump is planning an executive order to ban transgender troops from serving in the military, aiming to disband up to 15,000 active-duty members.
The controversial measure could shake up military ranks from Day 1 of his presidency on January 20, 2025.
This move would effectively end the service of transgender soldiers by deeming them medically unfit to serve, causing a wave of discharges across the armed forces.
Trump has already named former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his pick to lead the Department of Defense, signaling a sharp shift away from current policies on military inclusion.
Hegseth has a long history of opposing the inclusion of transgender service members, even recently claiming that “pushing boundaries” by allowing trans people to serve in the military causes complications.
According to Hegseth, the military can’t integrate transgender troops as easily as other minorities, citing their dependence on hormone treatment as a barrier to deployment readiness.
These comments have added fuel to the fire of Trump’s plans to reverse the Obama-era policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly.
While the issue is controversial, the proposed policy would mark another battle in the ongoing debate over LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. military.
But this isn’t Trump’s first attempt to target transgender service members. In 2017, as president, he shocked the nation by announcing via Twitter his plans to ban transgender people from serving in the military.
Back then, the White House argued that retaining troops with gender dysphoria created risks to military readiness and effectiveness due to the need for substantial medical care.
Trump’s push for a ban was framed around saving the military from the medical costs associated with transitioning, which he claimed would “burden” the armed forces.
This plan sparked heated backlash from activists, but it did reflect Trump’s broader anti-LGBTQ+ stance, which has been a cornerstone of his political identity.
Under the Obama administration, the Pentagon lifted the ban on transgender military service, which was a historic victory for LGBTQ+ rights.
But Trump’s return to power would see that victory overturned—again throwing the spotlight on the treatment of transgender individuals within the armed forces.
The Real Cost of Trump’s Executive Order: Medical Costs and Transgender Soldiers’ Lives
The proposed ban could potentially impact more than 15,000 transgender service members currently serving across all branches of the U.S. military.
But what does the military’s treatment of transgender soldiers look like in 2024? The Pentagon has spent more than $26 million on medical care for transgender troops since 2020.
That sum includes spending on hormone replacement therapy, psychotherapy, and gender-affirming surgeries such as facial reconstructions, breast removals, and genital surgeries.
According to official records, the military’s spending on transgender troops’ medical care is significant, but it represents a fraction of the Department of Defense’s overall budget.
In fact, the U.S. Military Health System spends around $50 billion annually on care for 9.6 million people, including active-duty personnel, retirees, and their families.
The total number of transgender troops is estimated to be around 3,700 active-duty personnel, accounting for just 0.3 percent of the military’s total force—less than half the percentage of transgender individuals in the general U.S. population.
However, despite the modest numbers, transgender service members remain at the center of a larger cultural and political storm.
Since the military began providing gender-affirming care in 2020, the number of transgender soldiers has increased, with gender dysphoria diagnoses doubling from 1,800 to 3,700 within three years.
Critics argue that these services are too costly and complicated to maintain, while others point to the growing number of transgender soldiers who’ve thrived in their roles—despite the challenges.
For instance, Major Jason Vero, a transgender pilot, won multiple military awards for his service, despite the personal struggles he faced before transitioning.
Vero shared his journey in 2022, revealing how his transition came after personal tragedies, ultimately leading to a new sense of purpose and pride in his military role.
Major Rachel Jones, a transgender officer in the U.S. Army, has also spoken out about how her ability to live authentically saved her life, overcoming suicidal thoughts and depression.
Stories like these showcase the positive contributions of transgender military members, defying the claims made by critics of inclusion.
The military’s investment in transgender service members, including surgeries and medical care, raises significant questions about the future of such policies if Trump moves forward with his ban.
Some military experts believe that a ban could ultimately cost the military more than it saves—losing skilled, trained professionals in a time of recruitment struggles.
The Debate Rages On: Will Transgender Service Members Be Caught in the Crossfire?
Trump’s proposed executive order would be another dramatic step in his broader effort to “purge” government agencies of what he terms “woke” policies.
His new nominee to head the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has been outspoken in his opposition to transgender military service, calling it a “boundary-pushing” move.
Trump’s war on transgender rights is likely to extend beyond the military if he wins the 2024 election, with many fearing for the future of LGBTQ+ protections in all federal agencies.
The battle over military service is just one front in a broader cultural war over transgender rights that’s taken center stage in American politics.
While transgender troops continue to serve with distinction in the U.S. military, their place in the armed forces may be in jeopardy if Trump moves forward with his plans.
With so much at stake, transgender service members and their allies are watching closely as Trump’s first day in office approaches.
If he follows through, 15,000 soldiers could find themselves facing the harsh reality of being pushed out of a system they’ve dedicated their lives to.
The costs—both financial and personal—are staggering, as families, careers, and the military itself could feel the fallout.
And as the debate over the inclusion of transgender individuals in the military intensifies, the question remains: Will these troops continue to serve their country, or will they be sidelined in the name of politics?
One thing is clear—Trump’s first executive order on January 20, 2025, will set the tone for his second term and will surely spark fierce reactions across the nation.
As the situation develops, expect more stories to emerge about the impact of such a decision on the lives of transgender military members and the future of the armed forces.
With the military struggling to meet recruitment goals and facing an increasingly polarized society, the stakes have never been higher.
The question is, can the armed forces afford to lose thousands of trained, committed soldiers simply because of who they are?
As we await further news, one thing remains certain—Trump’s approach to the military will be anything but quiet.
The fate of transgender troops hangs in the balance, and only time will tell how this new chapter in American military history will unfold.