Last week, President Donald Trumprequested the Supreme Court of the United States to endorse his decision to discharge 29 soldiers who identify as transgender.
Nineteen months ago, Trump signed an executive order to remove transgender individuals from the armed forces, a measure that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quickly implemented. However, a group of transgender soldiers opposed the measure and took it to court.
Nicolas Talbott, one of the service members who initiated the lawsuit, stated that he wishes to enlist in the army but has been denied due to his gender dysphoria. In June 2026, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in his favor and halted the implementation of the decree, forcing the Trump administration to appeal to the highest court.
If the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States refuse to hear the case, the 28 plaintiffs will remain in their positions.
The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, quickly implemented Trump's order
Trump's decree, titled "Prioritization of Military Excellence and Readiness," explains that gender dysphoria is not the only mental illness that the military considers incompatible with active service. The U.S. Armed Forces also prohibit individuals with bipolar disorder, eating disorders, suicidal behaviors, and a history of psychiatric hospitalization from serving in active duty.
Related to this issue, the Department of War reported that "$11,582,262.99 was spent on psychotherapy for service members with gender dysphoria from January 1, 2016, to May 14, 2021", indicating that 637 soldiers received hormone therapy during that period, and over $3 million was spent on a total of 243 surgeries.
"These individuals have entered and used taxpayers' money to try to change their gender, and the question is: 'What are they giving back in return?' It is time for us to wake up and stop this nonsense we call 'equality'", emphasized Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin. "Personally, I applaud the president's intentions to refocus our military on winning our nation's wars."
