Trump vowed on the campaign trail that (DEI) related bureaucracy will be eliminated from the US military Image: Adobe Stock.
(The Post News)– US President Donald Trump shook things up by issuing a slew of executive orders on Monday promising to change military practices and sparking discussions.
The orders take aim at highly debated issues like diversity initiatives, transgender service members, and the military’s response to COVID vaccine refusals. Alongside that, a surprising purge at the Department of Justice saw the dismissal of more than a dozen officials who previously worked on criminal cases against him.
One of the executive orders makes way for the reinstatement of service members discharged for refusing the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Over 8,200 troops were shown the door for non-compliance during the mandate, but only about 110 have rejoined since it was rescinded in January 2023 by the Biden administration.
More can return as a result of Trump’s decision, but it is unclear what the larger effects of altering this policy would be. Another directive calls for the Pentagon to evaluate its policy within 30 days and targets service members who identify as transgender. Despite the fact that transgender individuals are not specifically forbidden from serving, the order entitled “prioritising military excellence and readiness” questions whether those with gender dysphoria can meet the “honourable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle” the military demands.
At a House Republican retreat at his property, Trump did not hold back: “To ensure we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military. It’s going to be gone,” he declared.
Also on the chopping block are diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, with a ban on race- or sex-based preferences across the armed forces and government agencies like the Defence and Homeland Security Departments. Trump proudly touted this move, calling the policies “lawless” and claiming his administration has rooted them out. “We ended this woke nonsense in one week, and while it wasn’t easy, everybody wanted it gone,” Trump told the Grand Old Party (GOP) gathering.
However, the upheaval did not end there. The sudden dismissal of over a dozen officers who worked on criminal prosecutions related to Trump caused a stir within the Department of Justice. James McHenry, the acting attorney general, defended the dismissals by claiming that the officials were unreliable in carrying out the administration’s agenda.
According to a statement from the Justice Department, “These individuals played significant roles in prosecuting President Trump. Their actions undermined trust, and this move aligns with the mission of ending the weaponization of government.” This is a very rare step, essentially a purging of DoJ employees. Career prosecutors typically remain in their positions with civil service protections, regardless of the party that wins the presidency.
In anticipation of future legal challenges, critics have already started to wonder if these terminations breach such protections. The Justice Department has not yet disclosed who was fired or how many members of the teams looking into Trump are still on the investigation. However, it is evident that this administration is not afraid to reinforce loyalty and penalise apparent disloyalty.
A fourth was signed, which mandates a process to develop an “American Iron Dome” similar to the one used by Israel in the Middle East. As a result, the White House says a proclamation has been signed to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
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