Donald Trump to ban transgender troops, create US 'Iron Dome' in new military executive orders, reports say

According to a report by CNN, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sign four executive orders that will bring about significant reforms to the military. These orders include a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military, a substantial reduction in the military's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and the reinstatement of service members who were discharged for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, along with back pay. White House officials disclosed this information to CNN.

These executive orders were first reported by the New York Post. Concurrently, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, was sworn in on Saturday. Hegseth has long stated his intention to implement significant cultural changes within the military, including ending DEI initiatives and purging what he calls "woke" service members.

Shortly after arriving at the Pentagon, Hegseth told reporters that "more executive orders are on their way." He further explained that these orders would address "eliminating DEI within the Pentagon, reinstating soldiers who were discharged due to the COVID mandates, and establishing an 'Iron Dome' defense system for the United States." Hegseth emphasized that as Secretary of Defense, he would swiftly ensure these orders are implemented.

Trump initially banned transgender Americans from military service during his first term in 2017, but former President Joe Biden issued an order in 2021 rescinding the ban. Hours after his second swearing-in last week, Trump signed an order revoking the Biden administration's 2021 move allowing transgender members to serve. However, an official stated that the order Trump is expected to sign soon will go further, outlining new military standards regarding gender pronouns and stating that psychological and physical readiness requirements prohibit transgender service members from serving.

An official, citing a fact sheet, stated, "It takes at least 12 months for an individual to complete treatment after gender reassignment surgery, which typically involves the use of substantial anesthetics. During this period, they do not have the physical capacity to meet military readiness requirements and require ongoing medical care. This is detrimental to deployment or other readiness requirements." The official also indicated that "the specific implementation [of the ban] is the responsibility of the Department of Defense." According to estimates from the independent research organization, the Palm Center, there were approximately 14,000 transgender service members in the U.S. military in 2018.

During Trump's first term, a Pentagon memo detailing the ban suggested that exceptions could be made for transgender service members who were already serving in uniform and had joined the military under previous policies before the ban took effect; those who did not require gender transition; and those who had "maintained a stable biological sex for 36 consecutive months" prior to joining the military. It is currently unclear whether the new ban will also include exceptions. When asked about possible exceptions, Hegseth only stated that "there will be an executive order on this matter today."

The second executive order stipulates that any "discriminatory" policies related to the military's DEI will be prohibited. Previously, the Trump administration had ordered all employees of federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility offices to go on paid administrative leave "immediately." All DEI initiatives within the U.S. Armed Forces will also be subject to an internal review by Hegseth.

The third executive order directs Hegseth to reinstate all active and reserve service members who were discharged for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. An official stated that they will be restored to their original ranks and receive back pay and benefits. However, the Pentagon has already rescinded the military's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, allowing them to rejoin after Biden signed the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which required the change. According to a CNN report in October 2023, only 43 of the over 8,000 U.S. service members who were discharged for refusing to get vaccinated had sought to rejoin eight months after the vaccine mandate was officially rescinded.

According to a fact sheet about the order obtained by CNN, the fourth order will initiate the process of creating a "next-generation" missile defense system for the United States. The order calls for the establishment of an "Iron Dome" system for the U.S., borrowing the name of the Israeli short-range missile defense system that has been used for years to intercept launches from Gaza. The U.S. has provided billions of dollars in funding for the "Iron Dome" system, and the U.S. Army also has its own system.

The fact sheet states that "the executive order directs the implementation of a next-generation missile defense system against ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks," and refers to these potential attacks as "catastrophic threats," despite the fact that none of these types of weapons have been launched against U.S. territory in modern warfare. The U.S. military also has the capability to deploy a layered air defense system, ranging from long-range "Patriot" missiles (which have proven effective in intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles in Ukraine) to short-range systems, such as shoulder-launched "Stinger" missiles. This new executive order calls for the establishment of advanced space systems to detect and shoot down launches targeting the United States. The order does not state how much this defense system will cost or outline a timeline for its development.