Politicians Respond to Trump's Trans Military Ban Sequel

The nation's Democratic leaders slammed Trump's insistence on keeping alive his ban on trans servicemembers.

Nbroverman

At 9 p.m. Eastern on Friday, as the nation was unwinding at the end of another work week, the White House announced their latest iteration of a ban on transgender people serving in the military.

Trump's latest ban is similar to one he announced via tweet in July; one that has been tossed out by four courts that found it unjustified and unconstitutional. The trans ban sequel, if implemented, will still throw nearly all trans people out of the military and end enlistment for them. This time around, Trump claims his Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis, was more integral to the ban's creation and planned implementation. The supposed impetus for the ban -- that trans people are physically and mentally compromised and that their health costs are too extreme for the military's $600 billion annual budget -- have already been refuted by studies completed during the Obama administration.

Even with Saturday's March for Our Lives -- a global protest to end gun violence -- occupying much of D.C.'s energy, the nation's Democrats responded with anger and resolve at Trump's latest assault on LGBT rights.

\u201cThe extreme bigotry of @realDonaldTrump continues with the new #transban policy. So does his cowardice, with a Friday 9pm release. https://t.co/182DHDIDMn\u201d
— Rep. Nadler (@Rep. Nadler) 1521859343

\u201cTransgender service members serve our country every day with courage and distinction. They deserve national praise for their sacrifice to our country \u2014 not humiliation. Trump's #transban does nothing to make our country safer or improve readiness. It is a betrayal of our values.\u201d
— Rep. Linda S\u00e1nchez (@Rep. Linda S\u00e1nchez) 1521859567

\u201cAbhorrent. It\u2019s clear @POTUS is doubling down on his bigotry to distract from his crumbling presidency. It won't work. This is the same #transban that was blocked by the courts, and we'll keep fighting to end it for good. https://t.co/Ma8t00pIyb\u201d
— Rep. Diana DeGette (@Rep. Diana DeGette) 1521891707

\u201cNo one with the strength & bravery to serve in the U.S. military should be turned away because of who they are. This hateful ban is purpose-built to humiliate our brave transgender members of the military who serve with honor & dignity. #ProtectTransTroops\u201d
— Nancy Pelosi (@Nancy Pelosi) 1521856356

\u201cNo matter what @realDonaldTrump says, this is a transgender ban - plain and simple. This decision breaks faith with those serving today and those who aspire to serve. And it is yet another Trump-Pence decision intended to drive a wedge in our society.\u201d
— Chuck Schumer (@Chuck Schumer) 1521865283

\u201cIf someone is brave enough to be willing to put their life on the line for this country and they are capable of doing the job our military needs\u2014regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or race\u2014we shouldn\u2019t stop them.\u201d
— Tammy Duckworth (@Tammy Duckworth) 1521868886