President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping policies within the U.S. military, specifically targeting “radical gender ideology” and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These orders were signed on Monday and are expected to be implemented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Secretary of Homeland Security within 30 days.
The two primary orders, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” and “Restoring America’s Fighting Force,” assert that DEI programs have compromised military effectiveness by undermining “leadership, merit, and unit cohesion.” Trump emphasized that these initiatives have led to discrimination based on race and sex, violating the principles of equality among service members.
The order “Restoring America’s Fighting Force” explicitly states, “No individual or group within our Armed Forces should be preferred or disadvantaged on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, or creed.” This directive aims to eliminate any form of preference based on identity within military ranks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared ‘No More DEI at the Department of Defense’, reinforcing the commitment to a merit-based system devoid of divisive ideologies.
<pThe executive orders mandate an internal review by Hegseth within 90 days to identify any instances of discrimination or promotion based on race or sex. Furthermore, the orders prohibit the teaching of "un-American, divisive, discriminatory, radical, extremist, and irrational theories" within military educational institutions. This includes concepts deemed as "gender ideology" and any assertions that America's founding documents are inherently racist or sexist.
Instructors at military academies will undergo stringent vetting to ensure compliance with these new directives. The orders also require that educational institutions teach the positive impact of America and its foundational documents throughout history.
Progress on the implementation of these orders is to be reported to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy within 180 days, ensuring accountability and tracking of the changes.
The order “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” underscores the military’s primary mission: “to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force.” Trump argues that this mission cannot be fulfilled if the military is influenced by political agendas that detract from unit cohesion.
According to the orders, the military must maintain high standards of mental and physical fitness, which includes disallowing “hormonal and surgical medical interventions” for service members who identify as a gender different from their biological sex. This policy reflects concerns over the rigorous standards required for military readiness.
Estimates suggest that between 9,000 and 14,000 transgender individuals currently serve in the military, according to Fox News Digital. Trump’s new order also eliminates the use of preferred pronouns within the military and restricts access to facilities.
The orders further stipulate that males and females must not share sleeping, changing, or bathing facilities unless absolutely necessary during operations. Hegseth has been tasked with implementing these changes and must report back within 30 days.
The recent executive actions are part of Trump’s broader agenda for his 2024 campaign, echoing the numerous executive orders he issued during his initial week in office.