POLITICS

The latest on President Trump's plan to ban transgender troops from U.S. military

The Republic | azcentral.com

Thousands of transgender military members serving their country are in limbo.

In a series of tweets last week, President Donald Trump said the U.S. government will not allow transgender troops to serve "in any capacity."

The Twitter announcement triggered intense criticism from people all over the world, including lawmakers, the trans community and every branch of America’s armed forces.

Here is the latest on the commander-in-chief’s plan to reinstate a military-wide ban on transgender troops.

What happened?

Trump made the announcement about banning transgender troops on Twitter last week.

He had made the decision the day before and informed Defense Secretary Jim Mattis after the tweet, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. She added that allowing transgender troops is "expensive and disruptive" to military readiness.

There are an estimated 6,000 transgender troops currently serving in the military.

Trump’s decision would reverse a policy that began under the Obama administration. Under the policy that was announced in July 2016, trans troops could serve openly. Before that, the military discharged them for medical reasons.

How did U.S. military branches react?

The abrupt announcement caught the Pentagon flat-footed.

The nation's top military officer says the ban will not go into place until the Pentagon receives an official directive from the president.

In a statement Thursday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said the U.S. military "will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect."

More than 50 retired generals and admirals from every branch of the U.S. military are coming out against the ban.

In a letter yesterday, 56 officers argued that it would "degrade readiness even more than the failed 'don’t ask, don't tell' policy," according to the Palm Center, which studies gender and sexuality issues in the military.

Officers from the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard added that "patriotic transgender Americans who are serving- and who want to serve- must not be dismissed, deprived of medically necessary health care, or forced to compromise their integrity or hide their identity."

Coast Guard officials personally reached out to their transgender service members to show support.

"I will not turn my back. We have made an investment in you and you have made an investment in the Coast Guard and I will not break faith," said USCG Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft at an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington Tuesday.

How did lawmakers react?

Trump's plan sent Capitol Hill into a frenzy.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the sudden news "is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter."

McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, added that many transgender troops are serving honorably and that anybody who meets medical and readiness standards should be allowed to serve.

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said discrimination in any form is wrong and that he needs clarity from the military on what the tweeted policy means.

"Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them," Hatch said.

Former Vice President Joe Biden also chimed in.

In a tweet of her own, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told Trump that "hatred will never defeat #pride" and "this fight is not over."

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., tweeted that "no American, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be prohibited from honor + privilege of serving our nation #LGBT."

However, some Republicans applauded Trump’s announcement.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo, said the president’s plan "has the best interests of the military in mind." She thanked him for taking action.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, called Trump's move the "absolute right decision."

How did the trans community react?

Some of the biggest voices in the transgender community are voicing their opposition and outrage.

Chelsea Manning, the transgender U.S. Army soldier who spent seven years in prison for leaking classified documents, called the move a "war on trans people."

Kristin Beck, who is a transgender former Navy SEAL, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, is requesting to meet with the President. "Let's meet face to face and you tell me I’m not worthy," Beck said.

Olympic gold medalist and longtime Trump supporter Caitlyn Jenner says she does not agree with the move.

Transgender actress Laverne Cox said the policy reversal "continues to send the message to trans Americans that out lives, our safety and service are less valuable and unwanted in this country," according to Entertainment Weekly. Cox also took to Twitter.

Follow us on Facebook by "liking" our page at facebook.com/azcentral.

The Associated Press and USA Today contributed to this article.