Trump Announces Ban on Transgender Individuals in Military, Twitter Responds

President Donald Trump announced on Twitter early Wednesday that transgender individuals would not be allowed to serve “in any capacity” in the U.S. Military.

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

Trump’s decision, according to his tweets, is due to the “tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

….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

According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, there are currently more than 15,000 transgender individuals serving in the military.

Trump’s tweets sparked some criticism on Twitter:

Serving in our military should be about the safety of our nation not excluding those who want to serve #transgender @SRuhle

— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) July 26, 2017

The thousands of transgender Americans serving in our #military are courage incarnate. They are patriots. And they deserve better than this. https://t.co/Tmr5NMgTZ0

— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) July 26, 2017

With his outrageous ban on transgender people serving in the military, Trump continues his war on American values. pic.twitter.com/bVcK5CQqw1

— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) July 26, 2017

What hate looks like. https://t.co/GdLOK7OzJv

— Jheanelle Wilkins (@JheanelleW) July 26, 2017

Clearly Trump uses any information or even opinion to validate his preexisting bias. All Americans deserve the chance to serve. https://t.co/K59tQkPZcz

— Rich Madaleno (@RichMadaleno) July 26, 2017

You’re announcing a national policy of discrimination ON TWITTER? https://t.co/pfSMnwgfHV

— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 26, 2017

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

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