Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Stephen Ferrara directs military officials to immediately cease providing gender transition procedures and hormone treatments for transgender troops.
According to Breitbart, the Pentagon has issued a directive to stop all new hormone treatments and surgical procedures for transgender service members, following President Trump's January executive order that reversed policies implemented during Joe Biden's administration.
The Department of Defense's latest policy shift marks a significant change in the military's approach to transgender service members. This decision aligns with Trump's executive order that emphasizes biological sex-based distinctions in federal policy. The Supreme Court has also backed the administration's position by allowing the exclusion of openly transgender individuals from military service.
Trump administration reinforces biological sex distinctions
Trump's January executive order specifically addressed what he viewed as problematic trends in gender-related policies. The order emphasized the importance of maintaining clear biological distinctions between males and females in federal policy. Trump's administration maintains that recognizing only two biological sexes is crucial for scientific inquiry and public trust in government institutions.
From the executive order, Trump states:
The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system. Basing Federal policy on truth is critical to scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, and trust in government itself. Accordingly, my Administration will defend women's rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.
The Pentagon's implementation of this policy represents a return to pre-Biden era restrictions on transgender service. Military officials are now tasked with ensuring compliance across all branches of service.
Military personnel transitions and removals
The Pentagon has begun the process of removing approximately 1,000 service members who openly identify as transgender. This action follows the Supreme Court's decision to allow the administration's policy to take effect while legal challenges continue through lower courts.
In February, the U.S. Army took the lead in implementing the new directive. The branch announced it would no longer accept transgender recruits and would cease performing gender transition procedures for current service members.
The Defense Department's rapid response to the executive order demonstrates the administration's commitment to enforcing its position. Military health facilities are now required to immediately cease providing transition-related care.
Future implications for military policy
The Pentagon's directive represents one of the most significant changes to military personnel policy in recent years. This shift affects not only current service members but also establishes clear guidelines for future military recruitment and medical care protocols.
Acting Assistant Secretary Ferrara's memo provides specific guidance to military healthcare providers regarding the immediate cessation of transition-related care. The directive requires swift implementation across all military medical facilities and programs.
The Defense Department continues to work with military leadership to ensure uniform application of these new policies across all service branches. This coordinated effort aims to maintain consistency in military personnel policies while adhering to the administration's broader policy objectives.
Significant policy reversal reshapes military healthcare
The Pentagon's decision to halt gender transition procedures marks a dramatic shift from policies established during Biden's presidency. This change affects both current service members receiving treatment and potential recruits who identify as transgender.
The military's health system must now adjust its protocols to comply with the new directive. This adjustment includes stopping ongoing hormone treatments and canceling scheduled transition-related procedures.
