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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