A recent Gallup poll reveals declining public support for transgender individuals serving openly in the U.S. military. This shift coincides with the Trump administration's reinstatement of a ban on transgender troops. The poll indicates that 58% of Americans now support open transgender service, a decrease from 66% in 2021 and 71% in 2019.

The decline in support is primarily driven by Republicans and Independents. Republican support has plummeted to 23% from 43% in previous polls. Independent support has also fallen from 78% in 2019 to 62% currently. Democratic support, however, remains largely unchanged at 84%.

The poll was conducted from January 21st to 27th, coinciding with Trump's return to the presidency. Upon resuming office, Trump swiftly reinstated the ban on transgender service members, a policy he initially implemented during his first term. This ban was subsequently challenged in court and overturned by President Biden. Trump has also enacted several executive orders targeting gender ideology within the federal government and military.

One such order, "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," asserts that expressing a gender identity differing from one's biological sex fails to meet military service standards. The order cites Department of Defense policy requiring service members to be free of medical conditions requiring excessive treatment. It further argues that adopting a gender identity inconsistent with biological sex clashes with a soldier's commitment to an honorable lifestyle.

The order also prohibits shared sleeping, changing, or bathing facilities between males and females except under operational necessity.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently directed the military to halt enlistment of individuals with a history of gender dysphoria. A memo dated February 7th states that all new accessions for such individuals are paused. The memo emphasizes that serving transgender individuals will be treated with respect. This memo was filed with the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Trump's renewed ban is facing legal challenges from transgender service members who argue it is unconstitutional. Previous reports estimate between 9,000 and 14,000 transgender individuals serve in the military. The Congressional Research Service reports the Department of Defense spent approximately $15 million on gender-affirming care for 1,892 active-duty service members between 2016 and 2021.