President Donald Trump signed a series of sweeping executive orders on Monday night aimed at reshaping key aspects of military policy. The orders address diversity initiatives, transgender service members, and the reinstatement of troops discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusals. Signed aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from a stop in Florida, the orders signal a dramatic shift in military management under Trump’s renewed administration.
One of the orders reinstates military personnel who were discharged for refusing the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Approximately 8,200 service members were affected by the mandate, which was rescinded in January 2023 under President Joe Biden. Since then, about 110 have rejoined the ranks. Trump’s directive aims to reintegrate more of these individuals, emphasizing what he called a “commitment to freedom of choice” during remarks at a Republican retreat in Florida.
Another order targets transgender service members, directing the Pentagon to create a policy within 30 days based on troop readiness. While it does not impose an immediate ban, the order questions the compatibility of gender dysphoria with military service. It states that the medical and mental health needs of transgender individuals conflict with the rigorous standards required for military readiness. Trump reiterated his stance during the retreat, saying, “We will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military.”
In addition, Trump signed an order eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the military, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. The directive bans the use of race- or sex-based preferences and mandates a review of academic curricula at service academies to ensure DEI and “gender ideologies” are removed.
“I ordered the end to all of the lawless diversity, equity, and inclusion nonsense,” Trump declared at the retreat. “It’s gone from the private sector, the government, and now the military.” He emphasized that removing these initiatives is part of ensuring the armed forces remain focused on their core mission of defense.
The president also signed an order calling for the development of an “American Iron Dome,” a missile defense system designed to shield the U.S. homeland. Modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, the system would focus on intercepting potential threats such as rockets or missiles, to enhance national security.
These orders mark a continuation of Trump’s agenda to reshape federal policy, including rolling back DEI initiatives across the government. Last week, he announced plans to eliminate DEI programs throughout federal agencies, with the Office of Personnel Management placing federal DEI employees on leave.
Critics have raised concerns about the impact of these orders on the military’s inclusivity and morale, particularly regarding transgender service members and diversity programs. Advocates for DEI initiatives argue that such measures promote fairness and cohesion within the armed forces.
Supporters of Trump’s actions, however, view the orders as a necessary step to refocus the military on operational readiness and to eliminate policies they see as politically driven.
As the Pentagon and Homeland Security Department begin to implement these directives, the orders are likely to spark further debate about the balance between inclusivity and operational effectiveness in the U.S. military.
