Banned Transgender People from Military Service
Trump announced via tweet — blindsiding the Pentagon — that transgender people would be banned from serving in the military. Four federal courts blocked it. Defense Secretary Mattis and the Joint Chiefs were not consulted.
On July 26, 2017, Trump announced via Twitter — without consulting military leadership — that "the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."
The announcement blindsided the Pentagon:
- Defense Secretary James Mattis and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were not consulted before the announcement
- Thousands of transgender service members who were openly serving were thrown into uncertainty about their careers
- Four separate federal courts issued injunctions blocking implementation
- The ban directly contradicted a 2016 Pentagon study that found allowing transgender service had "no significant impact" on readiness
Trump claimed transgender troops caused "tremendous medical costs and disruption." In reality, a RAND Corporation study estimated annual healthcare costs for transgender troops at $2.4-$8.4 million — roughly 0.005% of the military's healthcare budget, or the equivalent of what the military spends on erectile dysfunction medication in about 10 days.
A modified version of the ban eventually took effect in April 2019 after the Supreme Court allowed it to proceed. Biden reversed the ban on his first day in office.