Further Proof Emerges that the Transgender Military Ban Puts Ideology Before Readiness

Today, BuzzFeed reported that Joseph Dunford, the country’s highest-ranking military general, called President Donald Trump's transgender military ban “unexpected” when it was first announced via Twitter last summer, and told other generals he “was not consulted.” The Pentagon is expected to release details tomorrow of how it will implement the President’s ban.

NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling issued the following statement in response:

“This is more proof—as if any more were needed—that this ban is purely a political, ideological attack on qualified individuals who signed up to risk their lives for their country. President Trump told a pants-on-fire lie about consulting with the Pentagon and then ordered them to justify his reckless ban. It's no wonder that four federal courts have already declared the ban unconstitutional, the American Medical Association has said it has no medical basis, and majorities of lawmakers and the American public reject it.”