The Pentagon has issued a new directive ordering the removal of up to 1,000 openly transgender service members from the military, following the Supreme Court’s greenlight for the Trump administration’s controversial ban to take effect while legal challenges continue.
The directive, released Thursday, gives all remaining transgender personnel 30 days to self-identify before being subject to medical record reviews and potential discharge. This marks the most aggressive enforcement yet of the administration’s policy against transgender individuals serving in uniform.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who signed the order, made no effort to temper his position. “No More Trans @ DoD,” he posted on X shortly after the court’s decision. Speaking earlier at a special operations conference in Tampa, Hegseth added, “No more pronouns. No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that s—.”
Under the new policy, those with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, a condition where one’s gender identity does not align with their biological sex, will be ineligible for service. Those currently serving with the diagnosis will be discharged involuntarily, unless they meet strict criteria for a waiver.
As of December 9, 2024, Pentagon officials estimated 4,240 troops had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria across active duty, the National Guard, and Reserves. That figure may be higher, as not all cases are documented or disclosed.
The new directive revives a February memo that had been stalled due to lawsuits. Now, with the Supreme Court lifting the injunction, the Pentagon plans to begin enforcement immediately. Service members have until June 6 to self-identify if on active duty, and until July 7 if serving in the Guard or Reserves.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the 1,000 troops who previously self-identified will now begin “voluntary separation” proceedings.
The Department of Defense has defended the policy on operational grounds, arguing that individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria pose “medical, surgical, and mental health constraints” incompatible with military readiness.
Still, the policy allows for narrow exemptions. Troops seeking waivers must prove they directly support combat operations, have never transitioned, and demonstrate at least three years of stability in their biological sex without “clinically significant distress.”
Even then, those granted waivers will be subject to strict limitations. They will be recognized only by their biological sex in official matters, including access to facilities and forms of address.
Between 2015 and 2024, the military spent approximately $52 million on gender-related treatments including hormone therapy, psychotherapy, and surgeries, a cost Hegseth and others have pointed to as justification for the ban.
The Supreme Court did not issue an opinion with its decision, as is typical in emergency appeals. The court’s three liberal justices dissented, arguing the policy should remain blocked while lawsuits proceed.
The move has sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and veterans’ organizations, who call the directive discriminatory and damaging to morale. Legal challenges continue, but for now, the Trump administration’s vision for a “de-woke” military is firmly in motion.
As the June and July deadlines approach, thousands of transgender service members face an uncertain and potentially career-ending reckoning.
