A memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that transgender service members will have between 30 and 60 days to voluntarily leave the military, following a Supreme Court decision that allowed the Trump administration’s ban on transgender troops to move forward.
The memo, issued on Thursday, provides the updated timeline for those affected by the ban, which mandates that transgender individuals with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria self-separate from the Department of Defense (DOD).
New Deadline for Transgender Military Members
According to the Pentagon, approximately 1,000 service members who self-identify as transgender will begin the voluntary separation process. Active-duty service members have until June 6 to leave the military, while reservists have until July 7.
The announcement marks the latest step in implementing the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members, which was reinstated following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“After a SCOTUS victory for @POTUS, TRANS is out at the DOD,” Hegseth tweeted on X, sharing a video about the new deadline.
Supreme Court’s Role in the Policy Change
The high court’s ruling allowed the Trump administration to reinstate its policy banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, a victory for the White House even though the justices did not address the underlying merits of the case.
This decision follows an injunction issued by a lower court that temporarily blocked the policy. The Trump administration had argued that delaying the policy would harm military readiness, unit cohesion, and discipline.
The Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, celebrated the ruling, saying it allowed the DOD to carry out its policies “prioritizing military excellence and readiness.”
He emphasized that service members diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of gender dysphoria would have the option to voluntarily separate from the military.
Voluntary vs. Involuntary Separation
Under the new policy, transgender troops have the option to self-separate. However, those who do not choose to leave by the deadlines will be removed “involuntarily, if necessary,” Hegseth confirmed.
This move is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing push to uphold policies centered on military readiness and standards, which the administration argues are essential for maintaining a strong and effective military force.
The Broader Impact of the Transgender Ban
This latest decision is part of a broader effort by the Pentagon leadership to enforce stricter standards and remove policies associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the military.
In a recent statement, Hegseth claimed that the Pentagon had eliminated “99.9%” of DEI-related policies and was moving forward with measures that ensure equal fitness standards for men and women in military tests.
The transgender military ban is also part of the administration’s focus on eliminating what it sees as costly and unnecessary accommodations.
The DOD spent approximately $15 million between 2016 and 2021 on providing transgender treatments, including both surgical and non-surgical treatments, to nearly 1,900 active-duty service members.
The ban on transgender military service was first lifted by President Obama in 2014, but the Trump administration has since moved to reinstate it.
A Changing Policy Landscape for Transgender Rights
The transgender military ban, now in effect again, has sparked significant debate across the country. Critics argue that the policy undermines the rights of transgender individuals and harms military readiness by excluding capable service members based on their gender identity.
Proponents of the ban, however, argue that the policy is necessary for maintaining military standards and focusing on readiness and effectiveness.
As legal battles continue, the future of transgender military service remains uncertain, with the policy being challenged in multiple courts. However, for now, the new deadline for self-separation is a significant step in implementing the Trump administration’s stance on transgender service members.