He implements the president’s executive order prohibiting transgender individuals in the military.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent a one-page memo to all military employees, directing them to pause the integration of transgender recruits and unschedule all medical appointments for gender transition treatments and hormones for current service members.
Secretary Hegseth wrote, “The Department must ensure it is building ‘One Force’ without subgroups defined by anything other than ability or mission adherence. Efforts to split our troops along the lines of identity weaken our Force and make us vulnerable. Such efforts must not be tolerated or accommodated.”
The defense secretary stated that the pause would ensure the U.S. military’s “lethality, readiness, and warfighting capability.” He added that transgender personnel currently service “will be treated with dignity and respect.“
The directive implements the executive order signed by President Donald Trump last month. Titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” the order states, “Expressing a false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for Military Service.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the president and defense secretary as they seek to increase the U.S. military’s warfighting capability.
- For those who struggle with gender dysphoria, both military and civilian, to know and accept their biology and to come to transforming faith in Christ.
Sources: The Hill, ABC News, Task and Purpose, Deseret
