Pete Hegseth halts gender-affirming care for transgender military members

In the United States, on February 7, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo to senior Pentagon leaders instructing that all gender-affirming medical procedures for transgender service members be immediately paused. This decision followed President Donald Trump's executive order on January 28, 2025, which rescinded previous policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the military and receive necessary medical care. The memo outlines that individuals with a history of gender dysphoria would not only be denied new accessions but also that their scheduled medical procedures related to gender transition would be halted. The memo has sparked significant controversy and legal challenges from advocacy groups supporting LGBTQ+ rights, notably Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal, who argue that such exclusionary policies violate the equal protection and due process guarantees as per the Fifth Amendment. The legal responses have included lawsuits filed on behalf of active-duty transgender service members, highlighting their commitment to serve and questioning the justifications for these exclusionary practices. Advocacy groups contend that the implications of Hegseth's memo indicate a tangible shift back to policies that marginalize service members based on their gender identity. Poll data from Gallup indicates a shift in public sentiment regarding transgender service in the military, with support decreasing from 71% in 2019 to 58% in 2025. This decline has largely been attributed to political divisiveness, with significant opposition stemming from Republican circles compared to higher support among Democrats. As similar historical policies have encountered pushback, the military landscape may face ongoing disputes regarding the participation of transgender individuals, showcasing societal tensions surrounding gender identity and military service. The immediacy of implementing these policies has raised concerns among legal representatives of transgender service members. Advocates emphasize that service members who identify as transgender are willing and able to serve their country and deserve dignity and respect. The actions taken by Hegseth reflect broader political trends that could lead to further marginalization of transgender individuals within armed forces. Meanwhile, additional guidelines from the Department of Defense are anticipated to clarify how these new policies will be integrated and enforced, which may lead to further developments in the ongoing legal battles surrounding this sensitive issue.