Trump Tweets Intent to Ban Trans People from Military Service

Donald Trump Declares Intention to Ban Transgender People from U.S. Military

Statement of Jennifer L. Levi

Transgender Rights Project Director

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)

Donald Trump’s tweet scapegoating transgender members of the U.S. military is un-American and a disgrace.

A person who makes the choice to serve their country is a hero, not a “disruption.” Thousands of transgender people serve with distinction alongside other dedicated service men and women.

A ban against transgender service members would undermine military readiness and is inconsistent with the conclusions drawn by the Department of Defense’s (DOD) own reports. DOD has concluded that transgender service members may serve openly and that doing so strengthens the military. Nothing as simplistic as a tweet can change that. We hope and expect the President will follow this advice of his own Department of Defense.

GLAD takes the tweet seriously, however, and stands ready to protect any service member unfairly targeted in the future. Affected military members can contact GLAD Answers at 1-800-455-GLAD, or https://www.glad.org/know-your-rights/glad-answers/.