President Donald Trump is set to sign a series of executive orders on Monday aimed at the military, including reinstating service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, assessing the role of transgender troops, and further detailing rollbacks in diversity programs. These actions coincide with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s first day in office.
The orders are expected to build on Trump’s initial directives issued shortly after his inauguration last week. Those directives included removing protections for transgender troops established under former President Joe Biden and banning DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives at federal agencies.
During his first term, Trump attempted to ban transgender troops, but the effort was stalled in court and later overturned by Biden. The new order on transgender troops does not implement an outright ban but instructs the Pentagon to develop a policy based on military readiness, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press.
Hegseth addressed reporters as he arrived at the Pentagon, stating that his first day would involve significant activity, including additional executive orders. “On removing DEI inside the Pentagon, reinstating troops who were pushed out because of COVID mandates, Iron Dome for America — this is happening quickly,” he said. Trump had campaigned on the promise to build an Iron Dome system, modeled after Israel’s advanced air defense system.
While specifics of the new DEI order remain unclear, Trump’s initial action banning such programs across the federal government has already led to wide-ranging impacts. Agencies, uncertain of the scope of the ban, have removed content that might conflict with Trump’s policy. This included videos on the Tuskegee Airmen and World War II Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), which had been part of DEI training for the Air Force’s basic military training.
The removal of these videos caused significant backlash. The Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first Black military pilots, served in a segregated unit during WWII, and their 332nd Fighter Group achieved one of the lowest bomber loss rates in the war. WASPs were essential in ferrying warplanes for the military.
On Sunday, the Air Force clarified that DEI courses were being edited and that the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP content would remain part of training. “The revised training which focuses on the documented historic legacy and decorated valor with which these units and Airmen fought for our Nation in World War II and beyond will continue on 27 January,” the Air Force said.
Hegseth also addressed the issue on X, stating that any move to remove the Tuskegee Airmen content was “immediately reversed.” However, the confusion highlights challenges as Defense Department leaders work to eliminate diversity-related content from websites and training. On Monday, Hegseth, accompanied by Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, avoided mentioning the issue directly but emphasized that “military training will be focused on the readiness of what our troops in the field need to deter our enemies.”
Hegseth also reiterated his focus on border security, saying, “Whatever is needed at the border will be provided,” including active duty, National Guard, and state-activated Guard troops.
Hegseth’s appointment as Defense Secretary was confirmed by the Senate on Friday night in a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance.
