DeKalb GA News

The U.S. military is experiencing significant policy changes concerning transgender service members following a directive from former President Donald Trump to ban transgender individuals from serving. The legal battle over this policy continues, with a ruling anticipated soon.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by President Joe Biden, has voiced skepticism and likely opposition to Trump's transgender ban. "They have to essentially be in hiding while in service," she stated about transgender troops, as reported by the Associated Press. She also criticized the Department of Justice for allegedly selecting evidence that portrays transgenders as unfit for military service.

The litigation argues that Trump's order violates the Fifth Amendment rights of transgender people to equal protection. On February 26, 2025, the Department of Defense enacted Executive Order 14183 titled "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," prohibiting transgender individuals from openly serving and barring those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or related conditions.

This policy reinstates measures from Trump's first term, which were reversed by President Biden in 2021. The DoD claims the ban is essential for maintaining combat effectiveness and medical readiness.

Estimates suggest that between a few thousand to 15,000 transgender individuals serve in the military out of a total force of 1.3 million members. During his first term on July 26, 2017, Trump announced a similar policy via Twitter banning transgender individuals from serving in any capacity.

This announcement faced various legal challenges and modifications over time. White House insiders noted Vice President Mike Pence's office played a role in delaying efforts to remove transgenders during Trump's first term.

In January 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed this policy to take effect amid ongoing lower court battles.

Following recent directives, the U.S. Navy issued an administrative order on March 14 detailing how transgender personnel will be removed from service. Transgender service members have until March 28 to request voluntary separation with honorable discharge and potential separation pay benefits.

Those who do not voluntarily separate will face involuntary removal after being placed in non-deployable status once their request is submitted.

This process has drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups who argue it discriminates against transgender troops and threatens leadership roles such as that of the USS John S. McCain's captain if they are identified as transgender.

Judge Reyes has been vocal against this policy during legal proceedings, labeling it a "Don't Tell" strategy intended to expel transgender members from service. She challenged DOJ attorneys and demanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth retract statements regarding transgender troops made on social media.

As other military branches prepare similar guidelines following the Navy's lead on implementing these separations, legal challenges appear imminent given Judge Reyes' position on these policies.

Transgender troops must decide whether to opt for voluntary separation or risk involuntary removal by March 28—marking a shift away from long-standing military practices allowing open service since November 2013 when Barack Obama's administration began lifting bans through advocacy efforts culminating in Ash Carter’s announcement on July 13th announcing Pentagon plans towards inclusionary reforms.