WASHINGTON, USA — President Donald Trump is set to sign three executive orders on Monday targeting the U.S. military, according to White House officials.
The orders include a ban on transgender service members, the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes, and the reinstatement of service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations.
These actions, first reported by the New York Post, mark significant cultural and operational changes to the military under the leadership of newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Speaking from the Pentagon on Monday, January 27, 2025, Hegseth confirmed his commitment to swiftly implement the orders, calling them “necessary to ensure readiness and effectiveness in our armed forces.”
Ban on Transgender Service Members
Trump’s forthcoming executive order will reinstate and expand the ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, a policy he first enacted in 2017 but which was repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
The new order will not only ban transgender individuals from enlisting but will also set strict military standards regarding gender pronouns and mental and physical readiness, according to an official.
The administration argues that transgender service members require extended medical care and recovery periods that are “not conducive to military readiness.”
“It can take a minimum of 12 months for an individual to complete treatments after transition surgery, often involving heavy narcotics. During this period, they are not physically capable of meeting military readiness requirements,” the official said, citing an internal fact sheet.
The specifics of implementation will be left to the Department of Defense (DoD), and it remains unclear whether exceptions will be made for transgender individuals currently serving.
During Trump’s first term, limited exceptions were granted for those already in uniform who did not require a gender transition or had been “stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex.”
End of Military DEI Programmes
A second executive order will dismantle all DEI programmess in the military.
Employees in military diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility offices have been placed on administrative leave “effective immediately,” according to Trump’s directives.
The order mandates an internal review of DEI practices under Hegseth’s leadership and bans all policies deemed “discriminatory.”
Hegseth, who has been an outspoken critic of DEI initiatives, has previously described them as “divisive and counterproductive” to military cohesion.
“We are eliminating DEI practices inside the Pentagon,” Hegseth told reporters Monday.
“This is about focusing on mission readiness, not social experiments.”
Reinstatement of Discharged Troops
The third executive order will reinstate all active and reserve service members who were discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations.
Those reinstated will receive back pay, benefits, and their former ranks.
The Pentagon had already rescinded the military’s vaccine mandate in 2023 after Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act requiring the policy change.
However, the Trump administration is doubling down on its commitment to addressing the issue.
Despite the option to rejoin, CNN reported in October 2023 that only 43 of the more than 8,000 service members discharged under the vaccine mandate had sought reinstatement eight months after the policy was repealed.
A New Direction for the Military
These executive orders reflect the Trump administration’s push to reshape military culture, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises to end what he has called “woke policies” in the armed forces.
Critics argue that the measures could undermine inclusion and morale within the military. Advocacy groups such as the Palm Center, which focuses on LGBTQ+ issues in the military, have condemned the transgender ban, calling it “a betrayal of those who serve their country with honour.”
Supporters, however, see the changes as a necessary return to focusing on operational readiness and national security.
“These executive orders will prioritise mission effectiveness over political agendas,” Hegseth said.
“We are bringing back focus, discipline, and unity to our armed forces.”
As the orders are signed, the Pentagon will begin their implementation immediately, setting the tone for Trump’s approach to military policy in his second term.
The decisions will likely spark intense debate in the weeks to come, with far-reaching implications for service members and the broader defence community.
