Tag: transgender troops

DNC on Supreme Court Allowing Transgender Troop Ban to Take Effect

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would allow the Trump administration to move forward with its ban on most transgender troops serving in the U.S. armed forces:

“Prejudice is not patriotism. Discrimination is not a national security strategy. This ban is nothing more than bigotry codified into law and an insult to all who have worn our nation’s uniform. Not only does it go against our values as Americans, it also makes us less safe.

“Democrats believe diversity is our nation’s strength. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter who you love or how you identify. The brave service members who defend our freedoms should be able live freely. And we will keep fighting for the transgender community and all those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our country.”

Trump issues order supporting ban on many transgender troops, defers to Pentagon on new restrictions

The following article by Dan Lamonthe was posted on the Washington Post website March 23, 2018:

President Trump issued an order late Friday that supports a ban on many transgender troops, deferring to a new Pentagon plan that essentially cancels a policy adopted by the Obama administration.

The decision revokes a full ban that Trump issued last summer but disqualifies U.S. troops who have had gender reassignment surgery, as recommended by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

“By its very nature, military service requires sacrifice,” Mattis wrote in a memo to the president that was released Friday. “The men and women who serve voluntarily accept limitations on their personal liberties — freedom of speech, political activity, freedom of movement — in order to provide the military lethality and readiness necessary to ensure American citizens enjoy their personal freedoms to the fullest extent.” Continue reading “Trump issues order supporting ban on many transgender troops, defers to Pentagon on new restrictions”

Trump Cites Familiar Argument in Ban on Transgender Troops

The following article by Helene Cooper was posted on the New York Times website August 3, 2017:

Protesters outside the White House after President Trump announced on Twitter that transgender troops would not be allowed to serve in the military. Credit Justin Gilliland/The New York Times

WASHINGTON — When President Trump chose Twitter last week to announce that he planned to ban transgender service members from the military, he said his decision would safeguard the readiness of the armed forces and was made on the advice of his generals.

Now, a week after Mr. Trump’s Twitter statements, military policy experts say that years of study have not produced much evidence to support Mr. Trump’s claims that transgender service members make it harder for the American military to focus on “decisive and overwhelming victory,” as the president wrote.

A group of 56 retired generals and admirals put out a statement this week saying that ejecting transgender service members would itself degrade military readiness. In true Washington form, the 56 were answering a letter from another group of 16 retired generals that said Mr. Trump’s proposed ban was necessary “to save the culture and war-fighting capacity of the U.S. military.” Continue reading “Trump Cites Familiar Argument in Ban on Transgender Troops”