WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s decision to bar transgender people from serving in the military (all times…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s decision to bar transgender people from serving in the military (all times local) :
10: 30 a.m.
The Pentagon seems to have been unaware that President Donald Trump has decided to bar transgender people from the military.
A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, refused to answer questions about what Trump’s tweeted announcement means for the current policy, including whether transgender people already serving in the military will be kicked out.
«Call the White House, » he said.
The White House press office did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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9: 34 a.m.
President Donald Trump is barring transgender people from serving in the military «in any capacity.» He’s citing «tremendous medical costs and disruption.»
Trump’s announcement Wednesday morning on Twitter did not say what would happen to transgender people already in the military.
The president tweeted that after consulting with «Generals and military experts, » the government «will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U. S. Military.»
A Rand Corp. study estimated that there are between 2,500 and 7,000 transgender service members on active duty and an additional 1,500 to 4,000 in the reserves.
Transgender service members have been able to serve openly in the military since last year, when former Defense Secretary Ash Carter ended the ban.
