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transgender military

Tuesday March 18, 2025

President Trump departs after speaking with reporters in the Grand Foyer during a tour at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Politics

Federal judge blocks Trump effort to ban transgender troops from military service

March 18, 2025 • The decision by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes blocks the Department of Defense from carrying through with a policy directive designed to remove transgender service members from the military.

Friday March 14, 2025

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, DC. Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images hide caption

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Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images

National Security

VA rescinds transgender veterans' health guidance as department denies policy change

March 14, 2025 • In an internal VA memo seen by NPR, the VA says it's rescinding a directive that contains detailed guidance on the kind of care transgender veterans can receive at VA facilities.

Thursday February 27, 2025

President Trump looks on as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

National

Pentagon plans to begin removing trans service members from the military next month

February 27, 2025 • Service members and recruits who are diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria are to be separated from the U.S. military in accordance with an executive order issued a month ago by President Trump.

Tuesday October 25, 2022

Ash Carter, the U.S. defense secretary who opened combat jobs to women, dies at 68

Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks during a news conference in June 2016 at the Pentagon. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Obituaries

Ash Carter, the U.S. defense secretary who opened combat jobs to women, dies at 68

October 25, 2022 • In December 2015, after three years of study and debate, Carter ordered the military to open all jobs to women. He also ended the Pentagon's ban on transgender people serving in the military.

Wednesday March 31, 2021

Pentagon Releases New Policies Enabling Transgender People To Serve In The Military

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, seen here at the Pentagon last week, announced the military's new policies on Wednesday, International Transgender Day of Visibility. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

National Security

Pentagon Releases New Policies Enabling Transgender People To Serve In The Military

March 31, 2021 • President Biden signed an executive order repealing the Trump transgender ban in his first week in office, directing the Pentagon to begin the process to allow transgender people to serve openly.

Monday March 26, 2018

Transgender Air Force Officer On Trump's Ban And Supportive Fellow Troops

Lt. Col. Bryan (Bree) Fram marches in DC Pride Parade on June 10, 2017. Nic Maloney/Courtesy of B. Fram hide caption

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Nic Maloney/Courtesy of B. Fram

All Things Considered

Transgender Air Force Officer On Trump's Ban And Supportive Fellow Troops

March 26, 2018 • Lt. Col. Bryan (Bree) Fram says the Trump administration's latest move to limit military service by transgender troops will make them second-class citizens and put their lives at risk.

Transgender Air Force Officer On Trump's Ban And Supportive Fellow Troops

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Friday March 23, 2018

Trump Memo Disqualifies Certain Transgender People From Military Service

"Equality flags" are on display during a Capitol Hill event in Washington, D.C., supporting of transgender members of the military. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The Two-Way

Trump Memo Disqualifies Certain Transgender People From Military Service

March 23, 2018 • Opponents of the administration's ban on transgender troops say they will be back in court early next week seeking a permanent injunction to block implementation of the plan.

Saturday December 30, 2017

U.S. Military To Allow Transgender Recruits After Trump Administration Drops Appeal

President Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Dec. 22. Openly transgender people will be allowed to enlist in the military starting Monday after the White House decided not to appeal. Carlos Barria/Reuters hide caption

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Carlos Barria/Reuters

The Two-Way

U.S. Military To Allow Transgender Recruits After Trump Administration Drops Appeal

December 30, 2017 • An LGBT activist says the Trump administration has waved "the white flag," dropping an appeal of court rulings blocking a ban on transgender troops.

Monday December 11, 2017

After Court Ruling, Military Will Accept Openly Transgender Recruits As Of Jan. 1

Transgender U.S. Army Capt. Jennifer Sims lifts her uniform during a July interview with The Associated Press in Beratzhausen near Regensburg, Germany. Matthias Schrader/AP hide caption

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Matthias Schrader/AP

The Two-Way

After Court Ruling, Military Will Accept Openly Transgender Recruits As Of Jan. 1

December 11, 2017 • A federal judge upheld a temporary injunction against President Trump's ban on new trans troops in the military. Now, the Pentagon faces a deadline to begin accepting these applicants in the new year.