U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing renewed criticism after using an anti-transgender slur during an appearance in Iowa while declaring that the U.S. military is now “gender-neutral.”
Hegseth made the remarks Monday, Aug. 17, at the Iowa State Fair while campaigning alongside Republican Rep. Zach Nunn. According to reporting by the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Hegseth said: “At the Department of War, we do training, not tr*nnies.” He then described the department’s priorities as “Training, lethality, accountability, discipline, readiness,” adding: “Colorblind, gender-neutral, merit-based. That’s it.”
The comments come as Hegseth oversees the Trump administration’s effort to remove transgender service members from the military. A federal appeals court ruled in June that transgender troops who challenged the policy could not be discharged while their litigation continues; the administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
Hegseth’s remarks also drew attention because of his support for testosterone-replacement treatment for some older service members. A federal judge has questioned how the Pentagon can promote hormone treatment for some troops while using hormone therapy as part of its rationale for excluding transgender personnel.
Other Republican officials have continued making transgender issues a prominent political target. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), speaking at the same event, criticized Democratic opponent Sarah Trone Garriott over votes involving transgender athletes, bathrooms and gender-affirming care. “It’s a locker room for girls. This is a common sense approach,” Nunn said.
In Florida, Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds used particularly pointed language this month while attacking Democratic opponent David Jolly. Donalds said Jolly “still supports the transing of kids” and accused him of wanting to undo Florida restrictions on transgender care. “We protect the puberty of kids in our state,” Donalds said, promising to continue doing so if elected governor.
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri also attacked transgender representation earlier this year, telling Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos during a February hearing that children’s programming promoted “a transgender ideology” and questioning why Netflix provided such content.
The rhetoric coincides with broader federal action. The Trump administration finalized a rule this month ending federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for minors, with implementation scheduled for October, unless blocked by litigation.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
