The U.S. military has halted transgender enlistments and paused gender transition-related procedures for service members, following an executive order by President Donald Trump and a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The U.S. military will no longer allow transgender individuals to enlist and has paused all medical procedures related to gender transition, according to a memo filed with the U.S. District Court on Monday.
The directive, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on February 7, states: “Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused.” It further orders that “unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members are paused.”
While transgender troops already serving will not be discharged, Hegseth said they would be “treated with dignity and respect,” with further guidance expected from the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
The policy follows President Trump’s executive order last month, which criticized gender transition in the military, calling it inconsistent with the values of service members.
The Pentagon estimates the number of transgender troops in the low thousands, while advocacy groups claim it could be as high as 15,000. A Gallup poll released Monday showed that 58% of Americans support transgender individuals serving in the military, a decline from 71% in 2019.
Legal challenges to the policy are underway. A U.S. judge has ordered the administration to ensure that six service members who sued to block the policy are not removed before court proceedings. Civil rights groups are seeking a temporary restraining order after reports emerged of transgender troops facing new restrictions.
Miriam Perelson, a 28-year-old transgender service member at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, said she was forced to leave the women’s sleeping quarters, assigned a cot in an empty classroom, and denied access to female restrooms.
The Pentagon’s policy shift has sparked criticism from LGBTQ advocates and is expected to face further legal scrutiny in the coming months.
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On April 23, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Xi Jinping of China convened an expanded meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
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On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
The “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China” was signed in Beijing on April 23 during the state visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to China.
On April 23, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Xi Jinping of China convened an expanded meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.2 has struck Türkiye, with its epicenter located in the Silivri district of Istanbul, according to the country’s disaster management agency, AFAD.
On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
The “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China” was signed in Beijing on April 23 during the state visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to China.
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani cultural ministers signed a 2025–2026 roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek.
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