Hegseth, Bondi, and Trump are pissed today --- they must restart Gender-Affirming Care in the military.
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
By: Cassandra Williamson
Veteran: USN, USMC, USNA '84
There is discontent among Trump supporters today. On the same day a lower court decided that the Department of Defense must resume gender-affirming care throughout the department, US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo criticizing the foundation of gender-affirming care.
The debate over transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military has taken another significant turn, with prominent figures like former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi advocating for restrictive measures. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is being called upon once more to address this divisive issue. Here’s a brief overview of the current situation.
Recently, access to gender-affirming care for active-duty military members was restored following a preliminary injunction from a federal judge. This ruling temporarily stopped the enforcement of a ban initiated by the Trump administration, a policy significantly shaped by Pete Hegseth's perspective as Secretary of Defense. The ban aimed to disqualify individuals with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria and to cease medical procedures related to gender transition.
However, the situation is far from resolved. According to the AP, Trump has requested the US Supreme Court to permit the full ban to be implemented while ongoing legal challenges proceed in lower courts. The administration asserts that this policy is essential for military readiness, echoing arguments made when a similar ban was previously permitted by the Supreme Court during Trump's first term.
Beyond the military, as reported by S. Baum of Erin in the Morning, Attorney General Pam Bondi is urging the DOJ to initiate investigations into all gender-affirming care. A leaked memo titled "Preventing the Mutilation of American Children" expresses a critical stance on this type of healthcare, with plans to potentially use laws against female genital mutilation to target providers, despite medical consensus opposing such comparisons.
The forthcoming Supreme Court decision on Hegseth's request will have major implications for transgender service members. If the ban proceeds, it could result in the discharge of many committed individuals. Conversely, if the lower court injunctions are maintained, the current policy allowing open service with appropriate healthcare will persist, at least temporarily.
This ongoing legal and political struggle underscores the profound divisions regarding transgender rights in the United States, with the future of transgender individuals in the military uncertain as the Supreme Court prepares to evaluate the arguments.
So, you got me with the "former Defense Secretary" mention. I looked all over for confirmation! Wishful thinking? The issue with Pete Hegseth for me is a lack of, well, I'll call it "maturity" at least in his public persona. He seems too much the frat boy or, and I think you'll agree, Cassie, a 3/c or 2/c midshipman. Right? Can he do the job? Yeah, I believe he can, but this seeming developmental disconnect can present additional challenges and quite possibly is manifesting itself in the reported "chaos" at the Pentagon - if such reports are accurate. Is there someone better for the job? Of course. Is there someone worse? Of course. At least the boy is a known…