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.
A seven-year-old girl was found in cardiac arrest and later died after being stabbed at an elementary school in South Korea, an official from the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education said during a media briefing.
The U.S. Justice Department has directed prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the case is interfering with his ability to support President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping since taking office on January 20, though he declined to disclose details of their conversation.
The United States has lifted a pause on food donations, allowing the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to resume shipments, following concerns that 500,000 metric tons of aid had been stranded at sea or awaiting delivery
U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, calling his conviction a “terrible injustice.”
North Korea's defense ministry condemned on Tuesday the recent arrival of a U.S. submarine in South Korea, stating that its military forces are prepared to take any necessary action. "We will not back down an inch from our confrontation with this tyrannical enemy," ministry stated.
The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius was sold by Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music, which plans to use the proceeds to endow a scholarship programme.
A seven-year-old girl was found in cardiac arrest and later died after being stabbed at an elementary school in South Korea, an official from the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education said during a media briefing.
At least five people were killed when a suicide bomber with explosives strapped to his body detonated outside a bank in northeastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, police said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories and compensate for the damage caused.
The Sarandí stream in Buenos Aires, Argentina, turned bright red on Thursday for unknown reasons, raising concerns among authorities and residents. The waterway, which flows into the Río de la Plata, is under investigation to determine the cause.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has released the preliminary report on the investigation on Azerbaijan Airlines's flight J2-8243's tragic crash. Read excerpts from the report and watch AnewZ's complete coverage.
Uzbekistan’s flag carrier has announced airline’s plan to purchase a dozen of aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus, marking a significant milestone in upgrading and expanding its fleet.
Azerbaijan has halted activities of “Russian House” in Baku according to local media reports on Thursday, following accusations of espionage. This is being described as an escalation of tensions between the two countries.
A major fire erupted near Istanbul’s historic Spice Bazaar in the Eminonu district on Thursday, quickly spreading to nearby buildings. Emergency teams, including firefighters and medical personnel, were dispatched to control the blaze and ensure public safety.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to provide stunning insights into the universe.
The risk of an asteroid impact on Earth has doubled within a week, though there are currently no plans to build a deflection spacecraft for the 90-metre-wide space rock.
North Korea's defense ministry condemned on Tuesday the recent arrival of a U.S. submarine in South Korea, stating that its military forces are prepared to take any necessary action. "We will not back down an inch from our confrontation with this tyrannical enemy," ministry stated.
A seven-year-old girl was found in cardiac arrest and later died after being stabbed at an elementary school in South Korea, an official from the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education said during a media briefing.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 11th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
North Korea's defense ministry condemned on Tuesday the recent arrival of a U.S. submarine in South Korea, stating that its military forces are prepared to take any necessary action. "We will not back down an inch from our confrontation with this tyrannical enemy," ministry stated.
The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius was sold by Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music, which plans to use the proceeds to endow a scholarship programme.
A seven-year-old girl was found in cardiac arrest and later died after being stabbed at an elementary school in South Korea, an official from the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education said during a media briefing.
At least five people were killed when a suicide bomber with explosives strapped to his body detonated outside a bank in northeastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, police said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories and compensate for the damage caused.
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