The measure could affect approximately 15,000 service members who would be labelled as "unfit to serve." This information comes from several U.S. media outlets reporting on an executive order being prepared by the president's transition team.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has strongly condemned the decision of the incoming Commander in Chief. Kelley Robinson, HRC president, stated: "Banning thousands of qualified transgender service members—who meet every qualification to serve and have been serving without incident, positively contributing to the nation’s defense for nearly a decade—would make our country less safe and is nothing more than transphobia masquerading as policy. The United States military, tasked with defending our country and protecting all Americans, should be built on readiness and qualifications, not bias, hate, and discrimination."

Robinson continued: "Donald Trump is making clear that his administration will go all in on hatred and division at the expense of our military’s readiness [and] our standing as a leader on the world stage."

During his first term, Trump had already banned the recruitment of new transgender individuals in the military. By now declaring all transgender soldiers "unfit," he is taking it a step further. During his election campaign, Trump criticised the U.S. military, claiming the armed forces were "too woke." He had also announced plans to dismiss "woke" generals.