Among these orders, the Republican leader plans to rescind former President Joe Biden’s 2021 directive that permitted transgender individuals to openly serve in the military.
Trump is anticipated to sign two additional executive orders today (January 27), which will bar the transgender community from service in the US armed forces and eliminate military programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
One of these orders will establish new military standards concerning gender pronouns and mental and physical preparedness, resulting in a ban on transgender individuals in the military.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brock Stone, a dedicated service member for over 15 years, who has worked against threats to the US, now faces the possibility of being expelled from the military.
“I went to Afghanistan. I did all these things. I mean, what does that tell me? That tells me I’m not welcome,” Stone told ABC News Live back in 2021.
“That tells me that I am not respected as myself.”
This forthcoming executive order echoes past policies, as Trump previously excluded all transgender individuals from military service in 2017.
Stone, a cryptologic technician fluent in three languages, is tasked with deciphering foreign intelligence and analyzing electronic threats.
“All the adversaries you hear about in the news are always out to get us. Not all those people speak English, and that’s where I come in,” Stone explained.
CNN engaged with two White House officials who had reviewed the documents.
Referring to a fact sheet, one official stated: “It can take a minimum of 12 months for an individual to complete treatments after transition surgery, which often involves the use of heavy narcotics.
“During this period, they are not physically capable of meeting military readiness requirements and require ongoing medical care. This is not conducive for deployment or other readiness requirements.”
In 2018, the Palm Center estimated that 14,000 transgender service members were serving in the US military.
If these issues resonate with you and you wish to speak confidentially, reach out to the LGBT national hotline at 888-843-4564, available Monday to Friday 4pm-12am ET and 12pm-5pm ET on Saturdays.