Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military, marking a major shift in military policy.
As part of his sweeping executive actions, Trump is also eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the armed forces, sources confirm.
Additionally, the order reinstates back pay for service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic.
According to White House officials, the order takes immediate effect. The policy change was first reported by the New York Post and coincides with the swearing-in of Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
Just hours after beginning his second term, Trump formally revoked the Biden administration’s policy allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military.