I'm thinking of the full bird colonel who holds one of the senior positions at the US Space Command, who happens to be a transgender woman. She distinguished herself in the Air Force and now holds a position that can only be performed by somebody with extensive years of training, experience, and education - like the PhD she acquired while on active duty.

She transitioned while in the Air Force. She said she received full support from command. And she's continued to be promoted and given more responsibility. As anybody who serves in the military knows, that's not a random occurrence. She's been promoted and given responsibility because she's the best person for the job. That's how the military works, and sometimes quite ruthlessly, frankly.

Why would the Trump administration want to get rid of an expert like her?

It doesn't make any sense, but then it isn't supposed to make sense. It's supposed to appeal to bigotry.