Why Senator Joni Ernst’s Push for Transgender Soldiers is Destroying Our Military

Senator Joni Ernst’s recent remarks supporting the inclusion of transgender individuals in the military are emblematic of the creeping wokeness that has been eroding the effectiveness and morale of our fighting forces. By promoting policies that prioritize identity politics over combat readiness, Senator Ernst is leading our military down a dangerous path. It’s time to call this out for what it is: a disservice to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect this country.

The Reality of Combat Readiness

The primary mission of the military is to defend our nation, plain and simple. This requires physically and mentally capable individuals who can withstand the rigors of combat. Policies that allow individuals with complex medical needs or unique psychological challenges, such as those that may accompany gender dysphoria or post-transition hormone treatments, create unnecessary complications in environments where simplicity and efficiency are key.

Combat is unforgiving. It doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings or political agendas. Introducing policies that cater to wokeness rather than readiness jeopardizes the safety of everyone in the unit. Physical standards, which have already been watered down in some areas to accommodate political pressures, should remain uncompromising. Anything less endangers the lives of soldiers and undermines the mission.

The Cost of Wokeness on Recruitment

Senator Ernst’s position isn’t just harmful to combat effectiveness—it’s also a glaring example of why military recruitment is struggling. Young men and women who would have once eagerly joined the military to serve their country are increasingly disillusioned by the political agendas being pushed by its leadership. They’re not interested in joining an institution that values social experiments over strength and discipline.

The wokeness infecting our military sends a clear message: traditional values of honor, duty, and excellence are being replaced with virtue signaling and identity politics. This is not the military that America’s best and brightest want to serve in. Recruitment numbers are falling, and this kind of pandering is a big reason why.

The Double Standard in Priorities

For years, we’ve been told that diversity and inclusion will make our military stronger. But where is the evidence? The reality is that these policies often create division and resentment within the ranks. Instead of uniting soldiers around a shared mission, they emphasize differences and create friction.

Furthermore, the insistence on promoting identity politics over readiness shows a glaring double standard. While our military leaders focus on these woke initiatives, China, Russia, and other adversaries are sharpening their military capabilities, training harder, and preparing for real wars. Our enemies are laughing at us, and Senator Ernst’s stance does nothing to counter the perception that America is losing its edge.

Prioritizing Readiness Over Wokeness

Senator Ernst’s support for transgender inclusion in the military is not about creating a stronger, more cohesive fighting force—it’s about appeasing the woke mob. This is not leadership; it’s pandering, and it’s undermining the very institution she claims to support.

Our military’s purpose is to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It’s not a social experiment. If we want to solve the recruiting crisis, we need to return to the principles that made our military the greatest in the world: merit, discipline, and a focus on winning wars—not appeasing political activists.

The Senator would do well to remember this, or she may find herself facing a primary challenge from someone who understands that the strength of our military lies in its ability to fight and win—not in bowing to wokeness.