Trump signs orders to reshape US military strategy
US President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping the U.S. military, marking significant changes in policies related to diversity initiatives, troop reinstatement, and national defense strategy. The orders, signed aboard Air Force One late Monday, address various controversial issues and signal a shift in the military’s priorities under Trump’s leadership.
One executive order bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the military, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The order prohibits the use of race- or sex-based preferences in recruitment, training, and operations, dismantling DEI-related programs within these departments.
Advocates for DEI argue that such initiatives address historical inequities and enhance participation from underrepresented groups. However, critics, including the Trump administration, contend that these programs are discriminatory and undermine military effectiveness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to eliminate similar practices, emphasizing that the military’s focus should be on “lethality and readiness.” Trump’s administration claims that removing DEI programs will bolster recruitment, as the armed services fell short of their 2023 fiscal year recruitment goals by 41,000 personnel.
Another order reinstates over 8,000 service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. These individuals will return to service with full back pay, benefits, and their former ranks. Trump labeled the discharges as “unjust expulsions,” asserting that these members were unfairly penalized. Critics, however, warn that the move may set a precedent for opting out of other mandatory vaccines, potentially undermining military discipline and operational readiness.
A third order directs officials to develop policies concerning transgender troops. While the order does not immediately ban transgender service members, it prohibits the use of pronouns and restricts individuals from using facilities designated for the opposite biological sex.
This policy signals a reversal from former President Joe Biden’s 2021 order allowing transgender individuals to serve openly. Advocacy groups such as Sparta, which supports transgender military personnel, criticized the move, emphasizing that transgender troops have served effectively in combat zones. They argue that medical procedures related to gender transition have minimal impact on readiness and deployment.
In addition to these measures, Trump signed an order mandating the development of an “American Iron Dome,” a missile defense system modeled after Israel’s technology. This initiative aims to enhance national defense capabilities and bolster protection against aerial threats. Finally, Trump signed a proclamation commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, reflecting a historical acknowledgment alongside his policy directives.
The removal of DEI programs aligns with Trump’s broader government-wide effort to eliminate such practices. Immediately after taking office, he ordered all federal employees working on DEI initiatives to be placed on administrative leave, leading to the shutdown of related offices. The Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 60 employees focused on DEI were placed on leave, with their collective salaries exceeding $8 million annually.
These executive actions underscore Trump’s focus on reshaping military and federal policies, prioritizing what he describes as readiness, effectiveness, and patriotism over what he calls “woke” initiatives. While supporters applaud the changes as a return to traditional values, critics caution that these measures risk exacerbating divisions and undermining progress toward inclusivity.