Trump promises overhaul of military and school gender policies
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to abandon transgender-oriented policies in the military, schools, and sports on the first day of his administration, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
Speaking at an event for young conservatives in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump declared his commitment to ending what he termed “transgender madness” signaling a hardline stance on issues of gender identity as Republicans prepare to control both chambers of Congress and the White House.
“I will sign an executive order to end the sexual mutilation of children and will abolish transgender policies in the military, as well as in our elementary, middle, and high schools,” Trump announced to the crowd. He further pledged to “keep men out of women's sports” emphasizing that “the United States government will officially recognize only two genders—male and female.”
This rhetoric comes at a time of heightened debate over transgender rights in the United States. Trump’s comments reflect broader dissatisfaction among some conservative leaders, who argue that high-ranking officials are more focused on promoting “woke ideology” — a greater emphasis on social, racial, and gender justice — than on maintaining the nation’s defense capabilities. These concerns have developed with changes in military policy and broader societal shifts.
As of 2019, the U.S. military included approximately 14,700 transgender service members. In 2021, around 2,200 personnel were diagnosed with gender dysphoria. However, the Armed Forces — with a total of 1.3 million active-duty members — continue to face recruitment challenges, with nearly all branches failing to meet their targets, except the Marine Corps. Against this backdrop, Trump’s promise to reimpose a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military reflects broader concerns over recruitment and readiness.
LGBTQ+ individuals have historically served in the armed forces, though policies around their service have shifted over time. Until 2011, they were barred from disclosing their sexual orientation openly. That year, the U.S. lifted the ban on openly gay and lesbian service members. By 2014, transgender individuals began petitioning the Pentagon for the right to serve, signaling a shift in societal attitudes and military policy.
Trump’s hardline position on transgender issues extends beyond the military. At the AmericaFest conference, he reiterated his commitment to broader conservative principles, vowing to address “migrant crime” and restore U.S. control over the Panama Canal. His comments also included a sharp critique of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“On January 20, the United States will forever turn the page on four long, terrible years of failure, incompetence, and national decline, and we will usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” stated Trump, promising to stop the chaos in the Middle East and prevent World War III.
Trump has also tied his criticism of transgender policies to issues in sports, where he has used rhetoric that LGBTQ+ advocates label as harmful. In one instance, he mischaracterized two Olympic female boxers as men and labeled their participation in the Paris Games as “demeaning to women” despite both athletes being assigned female at birth and identifying as women. At a rally in Madison Square Garden in October, Trump ramped up his rhetoric, telling supporters, “We will get ... transgender insanity the hell out of our schools, and we will keep men out of women’s sports.”
As Trump takes office, his approach to transgender issues is set to be a key focus, with Republican support likely driving significant changes to gender identity policies in the U.S.
Earlier, it was reported that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a phone conversation during which they discussed European security and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both leaders emphasized the importance of striving for a “fair, just, and sustainable peace” as soon as possible.
