Transgender tweet surprises military
WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to ban transgender personnel from serving in the military has alarmed some senior military officers who were caught off guard by it.
Trump’s declaration, which came via tweets on Thursday, appeared to preempt an ongoing Pentagon review looking into allowing openly transgender recruits to join the military, and he drew criticism from three senior officers yesterday.
‘‘I hope our commander in chief understands that we don’t transmit orders via Twitter, and that he can’t, either,’’ one said by telephone, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
‘‘Even if this were an order, implementing it legally would take considerable time, if it’s even possible.’’
Rights groups and some politicians from both parties accused Trump of politically motivated discrimination and said the decision created uncertainty for transgender activeduty service members and reservists, who said they number in the thousands.
The top US military officer, Marine General Joseph Dunford, told the armed forces yesterday there had been no change yet to Pentagon policy on transgender personnel.
Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged the uncertainty that followed Trump’s announcement in a note to service chiefs, commanders and senior enlisted leaders.
‘‘I know there are questions about yesterday’s announcement on the transgender policy by the President,’’ Dunford wrote.
‘‘There will be no modifications to the current policy until the President’s direction has been received by the Secretary of Defence and the secretary has issued implementation guidance,’’ Dunford said, adding that the military would ‘‘treat all of our personnel with respect’’.
His message neither voiced support nor opposition to Trump’s decision.
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Dunford in a separate message sent more narrowly to heads of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force acknowledged that Trump’s announcement was ‘‘unexpected’’.
The Defence Department had been expected to begin formally allowing transgender people to enlist this year. But Mattis on June 30 approved a sixmonth delay to allow for a review.
As a presidential candidate, Trump last year had vowed to fight for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.
Trump’s plan to ban transgender military service members has unleashed legal threats from advocates who say they are seeking plaintiffs who want to sue.