President Donald Trump has approved four executive orders that alter military policies, which include reinstating the ban on transgender individuals in the military, terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, restoring unvaccinated military personnel, and launching a next-generation missile defense system for the United States. Trump revealed the orders while traveling on Air Force One to Washington from Florida. The orders come after Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Secretary of Defense, having taken his oath on Saturday. Hegseth has expressed plans to implement significant cultural changes within the military, including ending DEI initiatives. Speaking at the Pentagon on Monday, Hegseth confirmed that additional orders addressing these issues are forthcoming.
Ban on Transgender Service Members
The first order reinstates Trump’s previous ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, which had been overturned by President Joe Biden in 2021. The new policy introduces stricter standards, citing physical and mental readiness concerns, including prolonged recovery times from gender transition treatments. A Pentagon official stated that these treatments, often involving narcotics, can impede military readiness and deployment capabilities.
It remains unclear if exceptions will be made, as in the 2018 policy that allowed some transgender service members to remain in the military under specific conditions. Hegseth suggested further clarification would come in a separate executive order.
Ending DEI Programs
The second order bans all DEI-related practices within the military and places federal DEI office employees on immediate administrative leave. An internal review will determine further actions regarding DEI initiatives, aligning with Hegseth’s vision of a merit-based military free from what he termed “discriminatory” policies.
Reinstatement of Unvaccinated Troops
A third order instructs the Pentagon to reconfirm service members who were discharged for not receiving Covid-19 vaccinations, restoring their ranks, benefits, and back pay. Even though the Covid-19 vaccine requirement was lifted in 2023, this directive formalizes the procedure, allowing all impacted service members to return. The Pentagon indicates that 113 out of more than 8,000 discharged service members have already requested reinstatement since the mandate was removed.
Advanced Missile Defense Shield
The fourth order outlines plans to develop a “next-generation missile defense shield” for the United States, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system. The proposed system aims to protect against threats from ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles. A fact sheet described such attacks as catastrophic risks, though no such weapons have been launched against U.S. territory in modern warfare.
The order envisions a layered, space-based missile defense system but does not specify costs or timelines for implementation. Currently, the U.S. military uses systems like Patriot missiles and Stinger missiles for defense.
These executive actions mark a significant shift in military policy, signaling a return to Trump’s previous stances and his administration’s focus on cultural and operational reforms. Hegseth indicated that these changes would be implemented swiftly under his leadership.