Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has dismissed senior Navy medical officer Commander Janelle Marra after right-wing account Libs of TikTok targeted her role in transgender healthcare.
The account, run by Chaya Raichik, has a long history of attacking LGBTQ+ people online. Their latest focus was Marra, whose Defence Health Agency biography noted her naval career began in 2004 through a health professions scholarship programme. She was serving as senior medical officer, deputy medical director of transgender care for the Navy, and director of medical services for Expeditionary Medical Facility Bravo.
Social Media Pressure
In response to a post criticising diversity initiatives in the military and naming Marra, Libs of TikTok amplified the attack on X (Twitter):
“Yikes. This she/her navy commander is apparently a medical director for ‘transgender healthcare’ at a naval centre in California. Can you please look into this, Pete Hegseth.”
The post quickly went viral, drawing over 10.8 million views, 7,000 reposts, and 20,000 likes.
Hours later, Hegseth replied:
“Pronouns updated: she/her/fired.”
Political Context
Hegseth, a former Fox News presenter, was recently elevated to Secretary of War after Donald Trump returned to power in January. Trump immediately signed an executive order to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes across federal agencies and the military.
Hegseth has previously stated that women should not serve in combat roles, dismissed diversity as “the dumbest phrase on planet Earth in the military,” and accused Michigan representative Rashida Tlaib of having a “Hamas agenda.”
Response to the Firing
Supporters have condemned Marra’s dismissal. Astronautical engineer and author Bree Fram paid tribute on LinkedIn:
“Janelle Marra is an outstanding navy doctor who volunteered to serve and has done far more than this country asked of her. She always went the extra mile to take care of others.
In 2018, she was named the top female doctor in the military health system. She has served as a regimental surgeon for marine units and as the senior medical officer at several clinics. Thousands of military members are living better lives today thanks to Dr Marra.
Others are alive thanks to her. And this is the thanks she gets from her nation?”
