NEW YORK - Reactions from elected officials and LGBT advocates are pouring in after President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a ban on transgender people in the U.S. military.
The commander in chief revealed the policy reversal in a series of tweets:
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
The former policy was still up on the Department of Defense website Wednesday morning.
Both New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senator Charles Schumer took immediately to Twitter to blast the policy reversal.
"Transgender Americans are serving honorably in our military. We stand with these patriots," Schumer said.
"This administration's directive against the transgender community is intolerable, unjust, and a betrayal of our values," Cuomo said.
In a statement, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who currently serves on the armed services committee, said in part, "This new directive is harmful, misguided, and weakens – not strengthens – our military. I will introduce legislation and will fight to overturn this discriminatory decision."
Mayor Bill de Blasio also tweeted a response saying, "President Trump needs to wake up. We want an inclusive society. God bless all who want to serve our nation, regardless of gender identity."
Last year, the Pentagon ended the ban on transgender service members being able to serve openly.
They were allowed to receive medical care and formally change their gender.
Last month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis delayed a plan by six months to allow transgender recruits to enlist in the armed services.
There are as many as 250 current service members in the process of transitioning, according to several defense officials.