On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that transgender Americans will no longer be allowed to serve in the U.S. military “in any capacity.”
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
The announcement, which notably took place while the U.S. Secretary of Defense was on vacation, led to an outpouring of support for transgender service members from advocacy groups and politicians alike.
The only Republican lawmakers who have vowed to stand with the transgender community so far are Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a member of the LGBT Caucus, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
Yes. https://t.co/HRHwabbPQn #utpol
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) July 26, 2017
No American, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be prohibited from honor + privilege of serving our nation #LGBT
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) July 26, 2017
A pretty remarkable statement from the office of Republican Senator Joni Ernst on Trump's transgender ban. She's a social conservative. pic.twitter.com/PPvvSdxhSF
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) July 26, 2017
John McCain coming in strong for trans troops. pic.twitter.com/ivDTqTdqQU
— Anthony M. Kreis (@AnthonyMKreis) July 26, 2017
The Log Cabin GOP — a group of LGBTQ Republicans who ironically just last night repeated White House Communication Director Anthony Scaramucci’s claim that Trump is the first U.S. president to enter office “with a pro-gay rights stance” — condemned the decision. “Excommunicating transgender soldiers only weakens our readiness; it doesn’t strengthen it,” read a statement from the group.
NEW: @gregorytangelo of @LogCabinGOP : "Excommunicating transgender soldiers only weakens our readiness; it doesn’t strengthen it." pic.twitter.com/KKIhplH6CZ
— Celeste Katz (@CelesteKatzNYC) July 26, 2017
Not everyone spoke out against the decision. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), who drafted an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill that would prohibit the military from paying for transgender-related health needs, praised the president for sharing her “cost concerns” and planning to change a “costly and damaging policy.” (A 2016 study suggested that paying for trans service members and veterans’ health needs would cost between $2.4 million and $8.4 million per year, barely more than a hundredth of a percent of the $49.3 billion per year the military spends on health care.)
Pleased to hear that @realDonaldTrump shares my readiness and cost concerns, & will be changing this costly and damaging policy #readiness
— Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) July 26, 2017
The U.S. Naval Institute responded by quietly posting their current documents on transgender policies, which open with a letter from former Secretary of Defense Peter Levine calling acceptance of trans soldiers “the right thing to do for the people and the force.”
Current Pentagon, @USNavy and @USMC documents on transgender policies.https://t.co/vKB5iS8mgX pic.twitter.com/TjZlIHnIlb
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) July 26, 2017
Transgender former soldier Chelsea Manning called the decision “cowardice.”
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people 😩 but funds the F-35? 😑 sounds like cowardice 😎💕🌈 #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Several Democratic lawmakers have condemned the decision, including but not limited to, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA).
This is discriminatory, and un-American. To the transgender servicemembers who defend our nation, I stand with you. https://t.co/CqgWIeClzb
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 26, 2017
The President espouses bigotry and disrespects the brave #trans servicememebers who put themselves at risk to defend our freedoms.
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) July 26, 2017
This bigoted decision makes America less safe & inhibits our military readiness by denying thousands of qualified Americans from serving. https://t.co/aEySqHtzOr
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) July 26, 2017
America is strongest when all who love our country can serve. @POTUS attack on #transgender servicemembers is shameful. I stand with them. pic.twitter.com/no1jEg9kYF
— Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) July 26, 2017
Lieutenant Governor of Washington Cyrus Habib (D-WA) called the tweet “disgraceful” and honored transgender soldiers and veterans. The state is home to several important military installations.
Disgraceful. I honor the service and sacrifice of our transgender soldiers and vets, especially in light of this disrespect and injustice. https://t.co/witehmJek8
— Cyrus Habib (@cyrushabib) July 26, 2017
Joshua Block, an attorney at the nonprofit American Civil Liberties Union, urged transgender servicemembers and reservists to contact him.
If you are a trans service member or reservist please contact me. If you know a trans service member or reservist tell them to contact me. https://t.co/3kdzotIUiT
— Joshua Block (@JoshACLU) July 26, 2017
GLAAD, an advocacy organization for LGBTQ rights, called Trump’s tweet a “direct attack on transgender Americans.”
.@realDonaldTrump today issued a direct attack on transgender Americanshttps://t.co/FPPAsktaQS
— GLAAD (@glaad) July 26, 2017
Ivanka Trump, Trump’s daughter and one of his advisers, was notably silent on Wednesday morning, despite having previously tweeted that she is “proud to support her LGBTQ friends” and the greater LGBTQ community.
I am proud to support my LGBTQ friends and the LGBTQ Americans who have made immense contributions to our society and economy.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 2, 2017
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Correction: Trump posted the tweets in question on Wednesday. A previous version of this article said they were posted on Tuesday.