Trump Orders “Iron Dome” Missile Defense, Targets DEI and Transgender Policies in Military

President Donald Trump announced a series of sweeping executive orders on Monday, including the immediate initiation of a US-based “Iron Dome” missile defense program, while also targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and transgender policies within the military, Al Jazeera reports.

The announcement came during a retreat for Republican lawmakers held at Trump’s golf resort in south Florida.

Speaking from the podium, Trump pledged to strengthen US military assets. He unveiled four executive orders, the first of which calls for the “immediate construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield, which will be able to protect Americans.”

Additionally, Trump said he would issue orders aimed at removing DEI initiatives and “getting transgender ideology the hell out of our military.” A fourth order would reinstate service members discharged for refusing to comply with COVID-19 mandates. An estimated 8,000 service members were discharged on this basis between August 2021 and January 2023.

Trump characterized these actions as essential for ensuring the US maintains “the most lethal fighting force in the world.”

Monday’s actions are part of a series of executive orders issued by Trump since returning to the White House on January 20. According to officials, Trump signed a record 42 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations on his first day in office, many concerning immigration and social issues, including a move to end birthright citizenship.

Some of Trump’s initial orders overlap with the latest pronouncements. He has previously moved to end government DEI programs, which he has accused of perpetuating “illegal and immoral discrimination.” He also previously declared that male and female gender identities are “not changeable.”

The most recent orders, however, are more directly focused on the composition of the military and its strategic priorities. The transgender policy order mirrors a “transgender military ban” Trump pursued in 2017, which was later reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021. An estimated 8,000 service members are transgender, though many may be reluctant to identify as such.

The “Iron Dome” order fulfills a campaign promise made by Trump, referencing the US-funded air defense system used by Israel. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to build a superior system in the US.

However, military experts have raised questions about the necessity and feasibility of such a project for the U.S. They highlight that the Israeli system is designed for defense against relatively low-power rockets and mortars, in a country that is much smaller than even one of the US’s smallest states. Creating a similar system across the vast U.S. mainland would be costly and potentially ineffective against more advanced threats. The US also already has missile defense systems in place, including the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program.

The future of the “Iron Dome” project also depends on Congressional appropriations.

Trump, however, defended the need for such a system.

“You know, we protect other countries, but we don’t protect ourselves.”

The executive orders coincided with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s first day at the Pentagon. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has previously voiced opposition to “woke” ideologies within the military and has questioned women’s roles in combat. Hegseth has pledged a vast overhaul of military leadership and a restoration of a “warrior culture.” His appointment followed a Senate confirmation process that included allegations of sexual abuse and alcoholism, with three Republicans opposing his nomination.