Context:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is acting swiftly to implement a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military, following a Supreme Court ruling that allows the Trump administration's policy to take effect. The decision mandates active-duty transgender service members to leave within 30 days and reservists within 60 days, impacting approximately 1,000 personnel. President Trump's executive order, signed in January, restricts recognition to only male and female sexes, aligning with broader policies targeting transgender people. In response, a group representing 32 transgender plaintiffs submitted a letter to the U.S. Court of Appeals, arguing that the Supreme Court's decision should not affect a prior judge's order from March. Critics, including Jennifer Levi of GLAD Law, have condemned Secretary Hegseth's stance as dishonorable to the military and its service members.

Dive Deeper:

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued an order for transgender troops to leave the military, following a Supreme Court decision that supports the Trump administration's ban. Active-duty members have 30 days, while reservists have 60 days to comply.

• The Supreme Court ruling allows the enforcement of President Trump's executive order signed in January, which narrowly defines gender as strictly male or female, thus impacting transgender service members.

• Approximately 1,000 transgender service members are directly affected by this policy change, as stated in a Pentagon release.

• A group of 32 transgender plaintiffs has taken legal action, filing a letter brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to argue that the Supreme Court's ruling should not override another judge's previous order.

• Jennifer Levi, a senior director at GLAD Law, has publicly criticized Hegseth's comments regarding transgender troops, labeling them as disgraceful and dishonorable to those serving in the military.

• The executive order, part of a series of anti-transgender policies enacted by the Trump administration, has sparked legal challenges and public outcry from advocacy groups.

• The situation highlights ongoing legal and social battles over transgender rights within the military and broader U.S. policy frameworks, reflecting deep-seated divisions on this issue.