US military in turmoil: Trump's controversial plan for transgender troops

US (The Uttam Hindu): US President-elect Donald Trump has sparked concerns among the LGBTQIA+ community with reports suggesting he is planning an executive order to remove all transgender individuals from the US military. According to officials, this order would result in the medical discharge of transgender service members, labeling them as "unfit" for military service.

This move marks a return to Trump’s stance from his first term, during which he imposed a ban on transgender individuals joining the military but allowed those already serving to remain. However, this time, the reported executive order would apply to all active-duty transgender personnel, not just new recruits. The executive order is expected to be issued on January 20, the first day of Trump's second term as President. Currently, approximately 15,000 transgender individuals are serving in the US military. When President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s ban, about 2,200 service members had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, with many identifying as a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth.

Trump’s position on the inclusion of transgender individuals in the military aligns with his broader agenda to combat what he views as "wokeness" and "left-wing indoctrination" in America. His views are supported by key figures in his administration, including defense pick Pete Hegseth, who has expressed concerns over the integration of transgender personnel in the military. Earlier, Trump's Vice President-elect, JD Vance, also stirred controversy with remarks about transgender and nonbinary individuals, suggesting some children might be transitioning to improve their chances of gaining admission to Ivy League schools.