When Will the Military Start Discharging Transgender Troops?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued an internal memo to the Pentagon instructing them to begin separating transgender troops who choose not to leave voluntarily by June 6. And, predictably, the left is up in arms over this common-sense decision.

The Pentagon is restoring order and setting clear standards for our military. The military isn’t a social experiment, it’s a fighting force. Its primary function is to defend this great nation, and to do so, it needs unity and cohesion, not the division and distraction brought about by the left’s obsession with identity politics.

And of course, the media won’t tell you this part. They’re too busy parroting the outrage of transgender activists, crying foul over this supposed injustice. One such activist, Jennifer Levi of the pro-LGBTQ legal group GLAD Law, has deemed this decision ‘shameful.’ Translation: Our military should prioritize political correctness over operational effectiveness.

The Hegseth memo clearly outlines the administration’s intent to act swiftly in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that permits this necessary action. Active duty transgender troops have the opportunity for ‘voluntary separation’ until June 6, with reserve forces given until July 7. To me, this seems fair and respectful. But the liberal media would have you believe otherwise.

This decision is but a step in reversing the policies of the Biden administration that allowed transgender troops to serve openly in the American armed forces. Biden proudly proclaimed, “America is safer when everyone qualified to serve can do so openly and with pride.” But here’s the bottom line: America is safest when our military is focused on its mission, not on pandering to the ever-changing demands of the political left.

As of last year, we had 4,240 U.S. active-duty and National Guard transgender troops, according to official estimates. The left, of course, claims higher numbers. But even if we take their numbers, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the total strength of our armed forces. The American people aren’t buying the left’s attempt to make this an issue of major concern.

Our military’s primary duty is to defend our nation. Any factors that compromise its ability to do so should not be tolerated. The Pentagon’s decision isn’t about transgender rights; it’s about military readiness.