Donald Trump kicked off Wednesday with a series of tweets announcing a ban on transgender people from serving in the military. Trump tweeted,
“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.”
The White House has said it does not know what will happen to transgender service members currently serving in the US military, following President Donald Trump’s sudden announcement.
Asked whether this meant active transgender troops would be sent home, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded: “That’s something that the Department of Defence and the White House will have to work together as implementation takes place and is done so lawfully.”
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders threatened to shut down the briefing when asked for specifics on the policy.
And the reactions came flooding in. Laverne Cox said in a statement to TooFab, “I have met many transgender Americans over the years who have served or are currently serving our country in the military. I have heard from them humiliating stories of being misgendered and experiencing various kinds of mistreatment when they are willing to put their lives on the line in ways many of us would never do including our current President. This latest reversal of another Obama administration policy continues to send the message to trans Americans that our lives, our safety and service are less valuable and unwanted in this country, the country I love and hold so dear.”
Kim Kardashian wrote, “Banning transgender people from serving our country is simply wrong. We should be so grateful to anybody who wants to serve, not ban them!”
Caitlyn Jenner writes, “There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them?”
Ellen DeGeneres wrote, “We should be grateful to the people who wish to serve, not turn our backs on them. Banning transgender people is hurtful, baseless and wrong”
What’s your opinion on Donald Trump’s Transgender ban in the military? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe!
