U.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders that make sweeping changes to military policies, targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reinstating troops discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, and addressing transgender service members.
One of the key orders titled “Eliminating Gender Radicalism in the Military” signals a shift from the previous administration’s stance on transgender troops. While the exact text of the order was not immediately available, it is seen as a continuation of Trump’s 2017 stance when he initially announced plans to ban transgender personnel from serving. During his first term, Trump did not fully implement this ban but froze transgender recruits, allowing those already serving to stay. President Biden reversed this decision upon taking office in 2021. The latest executive order appears to target ongoing policy changes for transgender service members, although the full scope remains unclear.
Alongside the focus on gender-related military reforms, Trump’s orders also address the DEI programs within the military. Trump and newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have made eliminating these initiatives a top priority. The Air Force recently confirmed it will resume training using historical content, including a video on the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black airmen in U.S. military history, ensuring compliance with Trump’s executive actions.
Hegseth, who made major changes to the Pentagon’s leadership, is also advocating for the reinstatement of thousands of military personnel who were dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. In 2021, the Pentagon made the vaccine mandatory, leading to the removal of service members who did not comply. Trump’s new executive order mandates a review and reinstatement process for these troops.
Trump, who signed the executive orders while flying from Miami to Washington, also addressed military base names. He referred to two key bases, Fort Moore and Fort Liberty, by their previous names, Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, which were renamed under President Biden in a move to remove Confederate associations.
In addition to military reforms, Trump signed an executive order related to missile defense. The order calls for the development of a U.S.-based version of the “Iron Dome” air defense system, originally developed by Israel to intercept rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza. The U.S. version, named the “American Iron Dome,” aims to provide enhanced protection against short-range threats such as rockets, mortars, and drones.