January 26, 2021: President Joe Biden has nullified Donald Trump’s ban on transgender Americans joining the military.

Trump had announced the ban during his first year in office.

“Transgender service members will not be subject to the possibility of discharge or separation because of their gender identity,” the White House said.

There were 8,980 active-duty transgender troops in 2019, according to Department of Defence data analyzed by a non-profit group, Palm center.

“President Biden believes America’s strength is found in its diversity, and gender should not be a reason to stop military service,” the White House statement added.

New Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement: “The Department will immediately take appropriate policy action to ensure individuals who identify as transgender are eligible to enter and serve in their identity.”

Mr. Trump had tweeted in 2017 that the country will accept or allow transgender Americans to serve in the military.

The ban took effect in April 2019. Transgender people who were already serving were allowed to continue, but hiring new ones were locked out.

President Biden repeatedly said that he planned to overturn the ban.

Before the inauguration, a memo from Ron Klain, now the White House Chief of Staff, said Biden planned to advance equity and support communities of color and other underserved communities in the first week of his presidency.

This is the latest example of Mr. Biden using executive orders to overturn Trump-era policies.

He has already signed orders halting the Mexico border wall construction, overturning a ban on travelers from several predominantly Muslim countries, and launching an initiative to improve racial equity.