Following President Trump’s directive to exclude transgender individuals with a history of gender-affirming care from military service, the Pentagon has issued a new memo granting commanders the authority to override separation board decisions on retention and requiring trans service members to wear birth-sex uniforms during hearings. This policy, which aligns with the previous ban on transgender personnel with a history of gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy, has drawn criticism from advocates who warn it undermines procedural safeguards for transgender troops.
The new directive, reportedly circulated to troops only last week, comes after the Supreme Court allowed the ban to proceed following legal challenges. Advocates argue that the policy strips transgender service members of procedural protections granted to other personnel and may prevent many from attending their hearings due to the uniform requirement. Around 15,000 active troops are openly transgender, with many currently on administrative leave pending separation board decisions and challenging the ban under gender-dysphoria claims in lower courts.
The broader policy reflects Trump’s campaign to roll back DEI initiatives, restrict sex-change surgery, and mandate a strict definition of sex based on birth traits across federal agencies. This has effectively rescinded federal recognition of transgender identities in both military and civilian regulations. Pentagon officials have declined to confirm the memo’s authenticity, citing ongoing litigation as the reason for their silence.