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Senate Democrats Challenge Pentagon on Transgender Service Members Policy
A coalition of Senate Democrats has reached out to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, seeking clarification on whether the Pentagon is adhering to court rulings that temporarily blocked the implementation of former President Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
The executive order, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” was signed by Trump in January and explicitly bars transgender individuals from either enlisting in or remaining in military service. In response, Hegseth issued a memo that paused the recruitment of transgender individuals and encouraged those already serving to consider voluntary separation by March 26, 2025.
In light of this pause, two federal judges have since issued preliminary injunctions that prevent the executive order from taking effect, thereby protecting the rights of transgender service members.
In a letter sent on Tuesday, 14 senators emphasized their expectation that the Department of Defense complies with these injunctions and posed several inquiries regarding the current policy. They sought information about the actions taken to align with the court orders, as well as the financial implications of excluding transgender service members, including costs related to legal defenses, training for service members impacted by this policy, and other administrative expenses.
The letter also inquired whether anyone had been dismissed from service based on the executive order and requested assurance that current transgender service members would continue to receive essential health care. The senators emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment where transgender individuals can serve without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
“As the Secretary of Defense, you bear the responsibility of ensuring that the United States maintains a robust and effective fighting force,” the senators stated. “This detrimental executive order adversely affects national security and undermines your oath of office.”
The group criticized the ban, labeling it unpatriotic and detrimental to the nation’s defense interests. “Denying any servicemember who meets the qualifications the right to serve based on ideological reasons is fundamentally un-American and puts our national security at risk. This administration’s hostility towards transgender service members prioritizes a culture war over the principles of military excellence and leads to the exclusion of courageous individuals who defend our freedoms,” they added.
The senators who took part in this significant letter include: John Fetterman (Pa.), Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Andy Kim (N.J.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), and Ron Wyden (Ore).
Source
thehill.com