President Donald Trump has taken swift action to reshape the U.S. military, fulfilling campaign promises to cut back on equal opportunity programs and introduce significant reforms. Within days of taking office, he signed several executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, transgender troops, and the reinstatement of service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. These changes have sparked debate about the future of the military and its priorities.
Ending DEI Programs in the Military
One of Trump’s first moves was to ban DEI initiatives across the military, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. DEI programs aim to promote diversity and inclusion by addressing historical underrepresentation of certain groups, such as racial minorities and women. Supporters argue these programs are essential for fairness, while critics claim they can be discriminatory. Trump’s order, titled “Restoring America’s Fighting Force,” eliminates race- or sex-based preferences and requires a review of all DEI-related actions within 90 days.
The Trump administration argues that removing DEI programs will improve military recruitment, which fell short by 41,000 personnel in 2023. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has promised more executive orders to further this agenda. However, it remains unclear which specific programs will be affected. Some military training materials, such as those highlighting the contributions of Black and female pilots during World War II, are under review but may not be removed entirely.
Trump has consistently stated that the military’s primary goal is “to win wars, not to be woke.” Hegseth echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that military training should focus on “lethality, readiness, and warfighting.” This shift is part of a broader effort to eliminate DEI practices across the federal government. Shortly after taking office, Trump placed all federal employees working on DEI programs on paid leave, calling the initiatives “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral.”
Transgender troops and vaccine refusers
Trump also signed an executive order directing the military to develop policies regarding transgender service members. The order emphasizes “military excellence and readiness” and states that expressing a gender identity different from one’s biological sex does not meet the standards for military service. It also bans the use of gender pronouns in the Defense Department and restricts access to facilities based on biological sex.
The number of transgender personnel in the military is estimated between 9,000 and 15,000. While former President Joe Biden allowed transgender individuals to serve openly, Trump’s administration has argued that transition surgeries could harm military readiness. Advocacy groups like Sparta, which supports transgender troops, have criticized the order, noting that transgender service members have proven their capabilities in combat and that surgery recovery times are minimal.
Additionally, Trump reinstated over 8,000 service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. These individuals will receive full back pay, benefits, and their former ranks. Trump called their dismissals “unjust,” but critics worry this decision could set a precedent for opting out of other mandatory vaccines, such as those for yellow fever or smallpox.
Trump’s executive orders mark a significant shift in military policy, prioritizing combat readiness over diversity and inclusion. While supporters applaud the focus on traditional military values, opponents argue these changes could undermine fairness and inclusivity in the armed forces.
