Trump bans transgender military service members

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that transgender individuals can no longer serve in the U.S. military in any capacity. “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,” the president tweeted Wednesday morning. He said he decided to implement the ban after consulting with generals and military experts. Last year, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter ended a ban on transgender military service. Since Oct. 1, 2016, transgender troops have been able to receive medical care and start officially changing their gender identity within the Pentagon’s system. Earlier this month, Rep. Vicki Hartzler, R-Mo., attempted to end the Obama-era policy through an amendment to the House Defense Authorization Act. She said allowing soldiers to change their gender identity is an expensive distraction and harms military readiness. Two-dozen Republicans joined Democrats to vote down the measure.