The Trump administration is being scrutinized for its recent decision regarding transgender soldiers. A recent report revealed that the group of soldiers will now have to show the sex assigned at birth on their official records. A 14-page memo detailing the same was released.
“Commanders will take immediate measures to update personnel records and administrative systems to reflect biological sex for all individuals,” the memo detailed. A memo that the Pentagon sent out on February 26 also noted that the US Army considers an individual’s sex “unchanging during a person’s life.”
The 14-page memo lays out a detailed plan that the Trump administration is set to implement following the new changes. A Reuters report shared how the Pentagon had decided to kick out transgender troops who haven’t left by June 6. The Pentagon’s decision to stop providing gender affirming health care to its soldiers came to light on May 12.
Another controversial change that the 14-page memo details is regarding the pronouns of the transgender soldiers. The pronouns used to address the soldiers “must reflect their biological sex.” The new change will allow thousands of transgender soldiers who do not identify with their biological sex to be misgendered.
BREAKING: Trump’s DoD has implemented a policy requiring military commanders to identify transgender service members—or those diagnosed with gender dysphoria—and refer them for medical evaluations that could lead to their discharge from service.
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) May 16, 2025
“In keeping with good order and discipline, salutations (e.g., addressing a senior officer as ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’),” the document further adds. The most controversial change that the memo mentions is the administration’s approach towards dealing with “intimate spaces.”
Transgender soldiers will be forced to use designated intimate spaces that align with their biological sex. “Commanders will ensure all such shared intimate spaces will be clearly designated for either male, female, or family use,” the memo reads.
The new changes are being met with harsh criticism and resistance from LGBTQ+ advocates and allies alike. Jennifer Levi, who serves as the senior director at the pro-LGBTQ legal group GLAD Law, spoke up against the government and their decision. Levi noted how “vindictive and aggressive” the new directives were.
Donald Trump reportedly plans to kick transgender troops out of the US military. 👀 pic.twitter.com/udzjjN6Ucr
— Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) November 24, 2024
“At the same time, they are being issued in a chaotic way that undoubtedly is harming military readiness,” the senior director noted. The total number of transgender soldiers serving in the army and National Guard is estimated to be 4,240. LGBTQ+ rights advocates estimate the number to be higher.
Trump’s decision has done nothing but manage to make the members of the LGBTQ+ community feel alienated. In his first month in office, Trump signed an executive order that reversed Joe Biden’s order, which allowed transgender soldiers to serve openly.
