Donald Trump Takes To Twitter To Announce Ban Of Trans People In The U.S. Military

The U.S. president stated that the military "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

In 2016, during Barack Obama's presidency, a previous ban was lifted under ex-Defense secretary Ash Carter. The motion was pushed to a year-long review process by the Pentagon to determine how to incorporate transgender recruits into the military.

Last month, on the eve of the one-year deadline, Trump's Defense Secretary James Mattis announced that he would be delaying the motion, suggesting that allowing transgender people into the military would significantly "affect the ability of America's military to defend the nation".

A study run by the Defense Department just last year suggested that allowing transgender people to serve would have very little impact on its medical costs and preparedness. The force, which is made up of 1.3 million members, has an estimated 1,320 - 6,630 transgender members. The study estimated a mere 20-140 hormone treatments a year within the military, as well as only 25-130 gender transition surgeries, amounting to around $2.4-8.4 million. That's just 0.004 - 0.017% of the Department of Defense's total health care expenditures.

It is yet unclear as to how Trump plans to implement the ban. However, the announcement could mean a huge setback for the LGBT community, who already suffered a fall with Trump's orders to ban transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice.

In response to Trump's announcement, LGBT members and allies have taken to Twitter.

Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 26, 2017

transgender people are not a disruption. fuck donald trump.

— christina perri (@christinaperri) July 26, 2017

Donald: With your ban on trans people from the military, you are on notice that you just pissed off the wrong community. You will regret it.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017

After consultation with our staff, here is our current statement regarding @POTUS's transgender service tweets. "FUCK YOU."

— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) July 26, 2017

I grew up in a military w/ LGBT people serving in the shadows. We can't let DT turn back the clock on our brave, trans soldiers. #RISEUP

— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) July 26, 2017

transgender people show more courage when they leave their fucking houses in the morning than donald trump has shown his entire life

— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) July 26, 2017

Let's not forget -- During the campaign, Donald Trump promised transgender Americans "I will fight for you" https://t.co/0PptiSZ3XZ

— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) July 26, 2017

Every single trans person who has served or WILL serve in our military is braver, stronger & a better patriot & human than @realDonaldTrump

— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) July 26, 2017