Trump Sends Pentagon Guidance on Transgender PoliciesBUT it gives leeway to secretaries of defense and DHS to make changes. President Donald Trump has issued guidance to the Pentagon on transgender policies. Trump has asked the military to stop admitting transgender individuals, but gives the secretaries of defense and homeland security some leeway. From Fox News:
Trump originally made his announcement at the end of July, but the Joint Chiefs said a day later that the military would not make any modifications until Trump sent them guidance. From Politico:
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter under President Barack Obama “issued a directive last year that permitted transgender troops to serve in the military, and to undergo reassignment surgery.” Congress has started to look over a spending bill for the Pentagon worth almost $700 billion. The New York Times reported that Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) “has proposed an amendment that would bar the Pentagon from spending money on transition surgery or related hormone therapy.” That same measure failed in the House earlier in July because some Republicans sided with “Democrats to reject it.” Conservative Republicans have insisted “they would not support the military spending measure without the language banning money for gender transition.” The Hill also reported that “approximately 250 transgender people now” serve “openly in the U.S. military.” http://legalinsurrection.com/2017/08/trump-sends-pentagon-guidance-on-transgender-policies/ |