Key takeaways from the recent developments:

• Donald Trump will sign executive orders to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the U.S. military.
• Thousands of service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine will be reinstated under these new orders.
• Trump's administration is also targeting transgender personnel in the military, reversing Biden-era policies.

In a significant shift for the U.S. military, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and reinstating troops discharged for declining COVID-19 vaccines. This move was confirmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who emphasized the need for major reforms within the Pentagon during his first day in office.

While in transit from Miami to Washington, Trump’s executive orders revolved around dismantling policies related to DEI in the military. Hegseth expressed plans to prioritize these changes, stating, “There are more executive orders coming,” which are expected to reshape policy inside military academies. One such order directly challenges existing standards regarding transgender service members, asserting that expressing a "gender identity" different from biological sex does not meet military criteria.

The reinstatement of troops who previously faced expulsion due to vaccine refusal is expected to affect thousands, as COVID-19 vaccinations became mandatory in 2021. The shifting landscape aims to reverse decisions made under the Biden administration that favored inclusivity in military service.

Trump's initiative has met considerable backlash from advocacy groups who assert that these measures would violate the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals within the armed forces. Joshua Block from the ACLU remarked, “President Trump has made clear that a key priority for his administration is driving transgender people back into the closet.” In light of these sentiments, the Guardian reported that Trump's administration must address existing questions about the status of current transgender personnel serving in the military.

Highlighting a return to the previous names of military facilities associated with Confederate generals, Hegseth referred to Fort Moore and Fort Liberty by their historical names, igniting further discussions about the symbolism within military nomenclature and operational focus. Hegseth's agenda suggests a tightening of acceptance regarding transgender individuals in service, echoing Trump’s earlier attempts to enforce a ban that was not fully implemented during his prior term.

Finally, alongside DEI reform, Trump has mandated the development of an “American Iron Dome” missile defense system, inspired by the Israeli defense strategy. This underscores a commitment to military preparedness, while also illustrating the administration's broader vision for the U.S. military's trajectory moving forward.

As these changes unfold, Reuters notes that the military’s structure and policies may undergo significant transformation under Trump's directives and Hegseth's leadership.