On Wednesday President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender people from serving in the U.S. military in any capacity. The ban reverses a decision under President Barack Obama that allowed them to serve. Trump tweeted that the military needed to focus on “victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” As many as 11,000 transgender people serve in the active military and reserves, according to a RAND Corporation study. We discuss the ban.
Guests:
- Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, author of “How We Won: Progressive Lessons from the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
- Robert Reid, senior managing editor, Stars & Stripes