Gender confused soldiers can continue to serve in the military until President Trump and the secretary of defense issues an official order, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.
According to published reports, the Pentagon was caught off guard by President Trump’s tweets on Wednesday banning transgender/transsexual soldiers from serving “in any capacity” in the military.
“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Trump tweeted. He added that former President Obama’s controversial transgender policy would burden the military with “tremendous medical costs and disruption” to troop morale.
Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford said the trans policy won’t change until President Trump gives direction to the secretary of defense.
Dunford issued a statement to the media on Thursday, addressing Trump’s tweets.
“I know there are questions about yesterday’s announcement on the transgender policy by the President There will be no modifications to the current policy until the President’s direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance.”
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in Times Square after Trump tweeted his new policy banning trans soldiers in the military.
LGBT activists threatened to take the trans troops’ battle to federal court.
“I feel pretty confident that the courts will not allow this to stand,” said Brad Carson, who served as the acting undersecretary for personnel and readiness under Obama.
Carson acknowledged that General Mattis, who delayed the enrollment for transgender soldiers for 6 months, “could overturn [Obama’s] regulations with the stroke of a pen if he chose to do so.”
If that’s what president is directing him to do, Secretary Mattis may be compelled to do that,” said Carson, who added that Trump’s new policy “almost certainly will” be slowed down by a legal challenge in court.
Gay and lesbian soldiers are not affected by Trump’s new policy.
There are currently 15,000 gender confused soldiers serving in the military. According to Trump’s new policy they can no longer serve and will be given honorable discharges.
Photos by Zave Smith/Getty Images, Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
