The US Army has announced that it will no longer allow transgender individuals to enlist in the military and will stop facilitating procedures related to gender transition for service members.
In a statement shared on X, the US Army said that the decision takes effect immediately. All new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are halted, and all medical procedures related to affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members have been paused.
In a series of posts shared on X, the US Army wrote, “The #USArmy will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members. Stay tuned for more details.”
It further stated, “Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused, and all unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members are paused.”
The US Army’s announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s signing of four executive orders last month that reshape military policy, including banning transgender individuals from serving in the armed forces.
In a statement posted on X, the US Army stated, “Individuals with gender dysphoria have volunteered to serve our country and will be treated with dignity and respect.”
On January 27, Trump announced that he had signed executive orders reinstating the ban on transgender service members and providing back pay to troops discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, CNN reported. Trump stated that he signed the orders aboard Air Force One while traveling from Florida to Washington.
During his first administration in 2017, Trump had previously banned transgender Americans from serving in the military, according to CNN. However, former US President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021.
Hours after being sworn in as the 47th US President on January 20, Trump signed an order revoking Biden’s 2021 policy, once again barring transgender individuals from military service.