Donald Trump issued filed a memorandum in U.S. District Court tonight that seeks to ban transgender troops from serving in the military except in select cases — following through on a random tweet last year that has been under review by the Pentagon and fought out in the courts.
Yes, kids, President Bone Spurs tried this before and four courts and two circuit courts have stopped this foolishness.
Via the White House:
Among other things, the policies set forth by the Secretary of Defense state that transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria — individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery — are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances.
Even beyond the courts, military experts have concluded that the cost of providing treatment to trans troops would be minimal.
Defense Secretary Mattis says he came to this recommendation after convening a months-long study that took input from transgender service members and medical professionals, but in fact, the American Medical Association in 2015 came out against banning transgender people in the armed forces.
It's also important to note that there are thousands of trans soldiers currently serving with distinction in the U.S. military. No one who is not as qualified as any other applicant is currently serving.
LGBT advocacy groups were quick to respond.
From the Human Rights Campaign:
There is simply no way to spin it, the Trump-Pence Administration is going all in on its discriminatory, unconstitutional and despicable ban on transgender troops. Donald Trump and Mike Pence are pushing their extreme anti-transgender prejudices onto the military over the overwhelming objections of bipartisan officials, national security leaders and the American public. We will never stop fighting this discriminatory policy until every current and future transgender service member is treated equally and respected fully for their bravery.
From the National Center for Lesbian Rights:
“This is exactly the discriminatory, categorical ban that four federal courts have already barred from going forward. This is just the sort of baseless attack on dedicated service members we have come to expect from this administration, and we will continue to fight this shameful ban vigorously in federal court."
Tomorrow, 15,000 transgender troops—including those serving in war zones around the world—will wake up to news that their Commander in Chief fired them for who they are in the middle of the night. These troops & their families deserve better than this injustice & cowardice.— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) March 24, 2018
As a veteran who served on active duty, we focused on the mission. We didn't care if you were transgender, bald, gay, or had freckles. No evidence a trans sniper is less accurate or a trans pilot is less effective.— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 24, 2018
Stupid bigotry from @realDonaldTrump.#ProtectTransTroops https://t.co/dCKzfhYtjV
#California will take every measure available to prevent @realdonaldtrump's discriminatory action that harms or marginalizes transgender servicemembers -- or any other transgender Americans who wish to courageously defend our nation. https://t.co/XmgpajcGRF— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) March 24, 2018
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