Trump is under serious fire for his transgender military ban
Yesterday Donald Trump announced that transgender people would no longer be allowed to serve in the US military.
In a statement on Twitter, the president said that after a meeting with "military experts," the United States Government decided that transgender people were causing a "disruption" in the military and would no longer be allowed to serve "in any capacity."
He also said that the military "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs" of transgender people anymore.
It is estimated by the RAND Corporation that up to 2,500 transgender people are already on active duty, with approximately 1,500 more on reserve.
Trump's decision is a complete reversal of Obama's ending of the transgender military ban last year. He had said that the prohibition was outdated.
Understandably, Trump has been harshly criticised for his decision.
Many transgender veterans took to Twitter to show how they had served their country, and to question the logic of the ban.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the annual cost of having transgender people in the military could be as little as $2.4 million.
@realDonaldTrump YOU just opened a can of WHOOP-ASS!!!!#NavySEAL #pipehitter #transgender
MEET ME & tell me I'm not WORTHY to my face. pic.twitter.com/eqAHTysfma
— Chief Beck (@valor4us) July 26, 2017
Trans people are on the front lines of every movement. We are the bravest people you will ever meet.
— Emily G (@EmilyGorcenski) July 26, 2017
Meanwhile, in Canada.... #TransRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/Z7eT5kSbNo
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) July 26, 2017
Trump also restricted transgender rights earlier this year when he overturned the Obama Administration's decision to allow transgender children to use the bathroom of their choice in school.
Chelsea Manning has also spoken out against the ban. The former US soldier came out as transgender soon after being sentenced to jail for leaking classified military documents to WikiLeaks.
She took to Twitter to say the ban sounded like "cowardice."
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people 😩 but funds the F-35? 😑 sounds like cowardice 😎💕🌈 #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
