As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, transgender Americans and advocates fear a second term could bring significant setbacks for transgender rights across various sectors, including education, healthcare, sports, and military service.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that Trump is poised to sign an executive order that could effectively remove transgender individuals from the U.S. military. The directive, which could impact approximately 15,000 transgender service members, would force many out of their posts, potentially undermining the military’s already struggling recruitment efforts. The Marine Corps remains the only branch currently meeting its recruitment targets. Insiders suggest that the new directive could be more expansive and controversial than the one Trump implemented during his first term, which banned transgender individuals from joining the military while allowing those already serving to remain.
On November 24, an anonymous insider shared their concerns with The Sunday Times, stating, “These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people.” They added, “Only the Marine Corps is hitting its numbers for recruitment, and some people who will be affected are in very senior positions.”
If signed, the new directive could extend to removing transgender individuals from the military altogether, regardless of their service history, health, or other factors. Proponents of the ban argue that transgender service members do not meet the “modern needs” of the military, with one pro-Trump supporter on X (formerly Twitter) stating, “This is not a controversial decision. Transgender soldiers do not conform to the modern needs of the military. They will absolutely get an honorable medical discharge and be thanked for their service to the country.”
Opponents, however, expressed concern over the potential loss of valuable personnel in an already strained military. One critic countered, “So the military is already struggling with recruitment and he’s gonna remove those who actually wanna serve their country?”
The issue of transgender rights has become a central focus for Trump’s administration. In education, the administration is reportedly considering changes to Title IX protections, which would affect policies on bathroom access, pronouns, and locker rooms for transgender students. In healthcare, Trump has proposed barring doctors and hospitals from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors through Medicaid and Medicare. At least 26 states have already enacted laws restricting such care.
In the realm of sports, Trump and many Republicans oppose allowing transgender women and girls to compete in women’s events. As of now, 24 states have laws that bar transgender women from competing in women’s sports. This debate was sparked earlier this year by a lawsuit filed by 16 college athletes challenging the NCAA’s decision to allow transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete.
Transgender rights activists are also concerned that Trump may reinstate a ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the military, or limit their access to gender-affirming care. With a new executive order potentially on the horizon, the future of transgender rights in the U.S. hangs in the balance, as Trump’s policies could roll back protections across multiple areas of public life.