Pete Hegseth's Pentagon has started kicking trans troops out of the military, DOJ sayshttps://www.advocate.com/politics/national/pentagon-begins-terminating-transgender-troops 🔗Christopher Wiggins (16 Apr 2026)
The Pentagon has begun moving to remove transgender service members from the military, the Justice Department acknowledged in a new court filing, identifying two plaintiffs now facing separation proceedings under President Donald Trump's ban.
In a letter filed Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Talbott v. United States, government attorneys said the Air Force has initiated involuntary separation processes against Cadet Hunter Marquez and First Lieutenant Sean Kersch-Hamer, both plaintiffs in the case.
According to the filing, both have been served formal notices and have requested hearings before administrative separation boards.
The disclosure follows earlier statements by DOJ attorneys during oral argument suggesting that no transgender service members had been discharged under the policy. In January, plaintiffs challenged that characterization, accusing the government of misleading the court. U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes suggested to Justice Department lawyers in March that they inform the circuit court about the government's actions against trans troops, and clarify any confusion.
The Justice Department's filing confirms that separation processes are now underway.
