US President-elect Donald Trump’s team rejected the report claiming that Trump was planning to expel transgender service members from the US military, Hindustan Times reported.
A report by The Times on Sunday (Nov 24) claimed that the president-elect was preparing an exclusive order to expel transgender members from the US military.
Trump’s incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, slammed the report calling it speculative and unfounded, HT reported on Tuesday (Nov 26).
The report emerged after Trump nominated Fox News personality and veteran Pete Hegseth as the Secretary of Defense in his second term in the White House.
“These unnamed sources are speculating and have no idea what they are talking about,” Leavitt told HT.
The Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman further added in her statement to HT, “No decisions on this issue have been made. No policy should ever be deemed official unless it comes directly from President Trump or his authorised spokespeople.”
The UK-based news outlet reported that the incoming administration of Trump was allegedly planning to dismiss around 15,000 military personnel. The media outlet said Trump planned to expel them by calling them unfit for the service.
The Times quoted an unnamed insider saying, “These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people.”
The report further claimed that the alleged order also denied taking transgender individuals into the US military.
“Only the Marine Corps is hitting its numbers for recruitment, and some people who will be affected are in very senior positions,” the report by The Times said,
After the report, the Republicans faced major online backlash following which, trump’s team responded and clarified.
In his first term, trump banned further reciting transgender officials but allowed the existing ones to continue serving.
After he left the White House, US President Joe Biden issued an executive order and revered the ban in 2021.
Trump’s pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has shown his stance on transgenders multiple times in his statements.
In a book authored by him, Hegseth said the inclusion of transgender individuals in the military, particularly policies that allow transitioning while serving, complicates the US military’s readiness.
Trump advocates restrictions on transgender rights across multiple sectors The Republican, as per reports, may exclude transgender students from protection in his proposals.
Recently, Trump even slammed the participation of transgender women in sports meant only for women.
(With inputs from agencies)