Trump Announces He Won’t Let Transgender People Serve in the Military

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that transgender people will be banned from serving in the US military, marking a sharp reversal from the Pentagon’s decision last year to lift the longstanding ban. He announced the policy change on his Twitter account:

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow……

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

….Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

….victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

Trump has repeatedly claimed to be friendly to issues concerning the LGBT community. The Department of Defense has yet to issue a statement confirming Trump’s announcement.