US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday which says, "expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service."

In the executive order, Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to come up with guidance on how to fully implement the order.

The order is likely to lead to a restriction of transgender people in the US military.

The previous US government led by former President Joe Biden allowed transgender people to enlist in the military. US media estimate there are 9,000 to 14,000 transgender service members.

Last week, Trump signed an executive order which said the government recognizes only two sexes -- male and female.