Watch This New TV Ad Attacking Trump's Trans Military Ban

Five LGBT rights groups are launching a TV ad against Donald Trump's ban on military service by transgender people, as the administration prepares a new policy on trans troops.

The Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, OutServe-SLDN, the American Military Partner Association, and Gender Justice League unveiled the ad, titled "Patriots," today. It is on YouTube now and will begin airing Friday on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox morning shows, CBS News reports. It complements a full-page ad that ran in USA Today and more than 30 other Gannett newspapers this week and is part of the largest paid media campaign against the ban, according to HRC.

The 30-second spot lambastes Trump's decision to reinstate the ban, which had been lifted by President Barack Obama. "An unfit president tweets that transgender Americans won't be allowed to serve," the ad says. "But decorated military leaders say there's no reason to single out these brave heroes."

It features quotes from members of both parties who oppose the ban -- Adm. Mike Mullen, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under both Obama and President George W. Bush, as well as three U.S. senators -- Joni Ernst and John McCain, both Republicans, and Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat.

"Donald Trump and Mike Pence have pursued this unconscionable, unconstitutional ban despite the opposition of our military leaders, national security officials, bipartisan lawmakers, and the vast majority of Americans who believe that brave, qualified transgender troops should be allowed to serve their country," said HRC President Chad Griffin in a press release announcing the ad. "It's long past time the White House abandon this reckless, unconstitutional ban and give these brave individuals the dignity, respect, and honor they deserve."

Trump announced the ban via Twitter in July, but courts have prevented it from going into effect, temporarily blocking it while lawsuits against it are heard. Trans troops have been able to continue serving openly, and new trans recruits were able to begin enlisting as of January 1. The Pentagon recently announced that the first out transgender recruit had gone through the enlistment process, but the individual's name has not been made public.

The Trump administration is still arguing for the ban in the four lawsuits that have been brought against it, but the president is expected to soon announce a new and possibly different policy on trans troops. Secretary of Defense James Mattis delivered recommendations to the White House last month, but Trump has final say on the policy.

Watch the ad below.