Transgender service members distraught, battling for military roles in spite of Trump's ban
Thousands of transgender U.S. military members faced a deadline of June 6, 2023, to identify themselves and initiate a voluntary discharge from the military, under the ban imposed by the Trump administration.
I hung out with three distinguished service members, and their thoughts on the impending future are heart-wrenching.
Transgender service members share their despair
Colonel Bree Fram fought for the Army post-9/11, determined to give back. She never imagined that an executive order from an unnamed president would end her illustrious 20+ years of service in both the Air Force and Space Force.
"I'm completely devastated, as we've given everything for this bloody country," the colonel expressed. "We've repeatedly met every standard and demand the military asked. We've excelled beyond expectation, but the Trump administration paints us as a problem without adequate evidence. That hurts."
Many of Fram's comrades have signaled their support. "Every day I walk through the Pentagon in my uniform is a gift," she shared. "People I've never met stop me and express their backing."
Navy Chief Petty Officer Ryan Goodell put pen to paper months earlier, choosing to voluntarily leave the military. Due to the fear of having to repay thousands in bonuses, the decision wasn't so voluntary.
Goodell spoke poetically about the cruelty of losing his dream career. "My future feels stolen, and being compelled to leave the sea... it tears me apart."
Master Sergeant Sabrina Bruce, a decorated Space Force officer, remains uncertain about her future. "I've served authentically and never faced issues. I've risen through the ranks numerous times, accruing honors and accolades," she stated. "The military is my life; it's my community and home, and the thought of losing it stings."
Trump's intent behind barring transgender troops
President Trump made no secret of his desire to boot transgender troops from the military. On the campaign trail in North Carolina, 2024, he declared, "Our warriors should focus on defeating America's enemies, not wasting time figuring out their genders." He reiterated his stance in Michigan, April 2025, promising to eradicate "woke lunacy and transgender insanity" from the government.
Reports suggest Cabinet members wanted transgender troops outed or forced to undergo medical check-ups, revealing their transgender status and winding up removed from the military.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained, "Those who falsely identify with a gender different from the one they were born with fail to meet the stringent standards required for military service."
Directives issued to U.S. military
In a February memo, Hegseth guaranteed respectful treatment of transgender service members. However, Army directives instruct troops to refer to transgender comrades by their birth names and genders rather than their preferred pronouns.
Hegseth also flatly declared at a military conference, "Transgender personnel in uniform? A big 'no,' we're done with that rubbish."
WJZ News previously reported that under Army guidelines, transgender officers would receive a "Code JDK" upon discharge.
The code is usually reserved for service members expelled due to security concerns.
"They label us the problem, but they can't find evidence to back their claims," Fram stated. "If one must dig through medical records to identify someone who's causing problems, then they aren't the issue."
Goodell asserted, "I'm a valuable asset, not a weak link."
Bruce expressed hope for any opportunity to continue serving, "Whether it's in uniform, out of uniform, I will do whatever it takes to give back to my country."
Maryland Attorney General opposes ban
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown teamed up with 20 other attorneys general to file a brief before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that Trump's ban on transgender troops is unfair and poses various national security risks.
Brown said, "The court must protect these brave, skilled individuals who have sacrificed everything for our country, instead of expelling them for political gain."
Court battles over transgender ban
In the short term, transgender service members' prospects appear bleak.
The Supreme Court ruled on May 6, 2025, allowing the Trump administration to oust transgender troops, as legal challenges proceed through the judicial system.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the decision as a "pivotal accomplishment." According to her social media post, Trump and Hegseth "work tirelessly to revamp a military centered on preparedness, readiness, and lethality—not political correctness and excessive gender ideologies."
Service members react to transgender ban
Fram put it plainly, "The administration's directive will essentially force us out of the military, leaving many of us with shattered lives."
Goodell confessed the anxiety agonizing his nights, wondering if he'd be able to find a new career outside the military. "I'm afraid my future is uncertain and unstable," he admitted.
An analysis conducted in 2017 suggested that discharging transgender troops would equate to a hefty $1-billion price tag—well beyond the $52 million spent on gender-affirming care.
Fram maintained that her fellow troops remain supportive. "Brave, sincere, and dedicated—transgender service members have decided who they are, and they stand by their values. We vow to maintain our oath, even when the going gets tough."
News: The transgender service members affected by the Trump administration's ban expressed their despair, voicing concerns about their future in the military and beyond.
Politics: President Trump, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, advocated for ousting transgender troops from the military, with reports suggesting that cabinet members wanted transgender troops outed or subjected to medical check-ups.
