A Navy commander specializing in transgender health care was dismissed after right-wing account Libs of TikTok flagged her role to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.The Targeted OfficerCommander Janelle Marra, a senior medical officer and deputy medical director for transgender care in the Navy, was abruptly removed from her position after her biography was circulated online. Marra had served since 2004, beginning her career through a health professions scholarship program. She later directed medical services for Expeditionary Medical Facility Bravo.Her dismissal followed a viral post by Libs of TikTok, the social media account run by Chaya Raichik, known for targeting LGBTQ+ people and institutions. The account highlighted Marras role in providing transgender health care, asking Hegseth to look into this.The post quickly spread, drawing more than 10 million views, 7,000 reposts and 20,000 likes. Hours later, Hegseth responded on X, formerly Twitter, with a short message: Pronouns updated: she/her/fired.A Wider Political ContextHegseth, a former Fox News host, has long opposed diversity initiatives. After Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January, he signed an executive order rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government and military. Hegseth, who recently shifted titles from secretary of defense to secretary of war, vowed to enforce the order aggressively.The conservative commentator has also argued against women in combat roles and once dismissed the phrase our diversity is our strength as the dumbest in military culture. His stance has drawn criticism from service members who see diversity as vital to morale and mission readiness.Support for MarraWhile her dismissal sparked outrage across social media, colleagues described Marra as a dedicated physician whose work improved thousands of lives.Bree Fram, an astronautical engineer and author, praised her record 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.Fram noted that Marra was named the top female doctor in the military health system in 2018 and had served as a regimental surgeon for Marine units. Thousands of military members are living better lives today thanks to Dr. Marra, Fram wrote. Others are alive thanks to her. And this is the thanks she gets from her nation?The FalloutMarra has not publicly commented on her firing, but her removal underscores the clash between ongoing attacks on LGBTQ+ service members and the efforts of advocates who argue that inclusion strengthens the armed forces.As Libs of TikTok continues to target individuals, the decision to terminate Marra signals how closely the Pentagon under Hegseth is aligning with culture-war politics at the expense of career service members.Source