'It's tragic!' US Navy veteran blasts Donald Trump's 'ridiculous' military transgender ban
A US Navy veteran blasted Donald Trump for banning transgender people from joining the US military saying it is “tragic”.
US Navy veteran OUTRAGED at Trump's transgender military ban
Transgender activist Autumn Sandeen said there were many “active duty members” who had come out as transgender who would now be worried.
In a series of Tweets, the US president has said he would not "accept or allow" transgender people in the American armed forces "in any capacity".
Speaking on Channel 4 News, Ms Sandeen expressed concern for those that might be discharged.
She said: “I just think this is tragic. We just, within the last year, had a very many transgender active duty members come out when told they could come out and serve.
US Navy veteran Autumn Sandeen said Donald Trump's transgender ban was "tragic"
Probably all these people are going to be discharged when all they wanted to do was serve their country
“Now their opportunity to continue serving is probably going to end.
“Probably all these people are going to be discharged when all they wanted to do was serve their country.”
Asked if having transgender people in the US military would lead to high medical costs, the activist replied no one knew the true cost.
“Nobody knows where they’re coming up with these ridiculous figures, or when they’re coming up with them, they’re just out of nowhere and not based in reality,” she said.
On Twitter, Mr Trump announced on Wednesday: “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. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
“…victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.”
The decision has already received a backlash from Congress, with one Representative describing the decision “a disgrace and an insult to counties brave transgender service members”.
Trump calls for total ban on Transgender people serving in military
Before his United States election victory last year, Mr Trump promised to "fight for" LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Americans.
Donald Trump warned his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton would instead "threaten your freedoms and beliefs".
And it marks a stark contrast to the Republican billionaire's predecessor Barack Obama, who fought to end the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ treatment of gay people within the military during his presidency.