<p>Earlier this morning, President Trump took to Twitter to announce his decision to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military.</p> 
<q> <p>After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow&#8230;&#8230;</p> <p>&#8212; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890193981585444864" type="external">July 26, 2017</a></p> </q> 
<q> <p>&#8230;.Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming&#8230;..</p> <p>&#8212; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890196164313833472" type="external">July 26, 2017</a></p> </q> 
<q> <p>&#8230;.victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you</p> <p>&#8212; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890197095151546369" type="external">July 26, 2017</a></p> </q> 
<p>&#8220;After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,&#8221; Trump announced via Twitter. &#8220;Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.&#8221;</p> 
<p>The announcement drew swift responses on the social media platform.</p> 
<p>&#8220;No American, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be prohibited from honor + privilege of serving our nation #LGBT,&#8221; tweeted Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).</p> 
<p>&#8220;Pleased to hear that @realDonaldTrump shares my readiness and cost concerns, &amp;amp; will be changing this costly and damaging policy #readiness,&#8221; tweeted Rep. Vicky Jo Hartzler (R-MO).</p> 
<q> <p>Just spoke to a Trump administration official about the transgender military decision. Here's what they said&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/eOWdvlxTfd" type="external">pic.twitter.com/eOWdvlxTfd</a></p> <p>&#8212; Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonathanvswan/status/890202683721863168" type="external">July 26, 2017</a></p> </q> 
<p>Trump&#8217;s decision will roll back military policy after the Obama administration lifted the ban last year, allowing transgender soldiers to openly serve in the United States Military.</p> 
<p>The Department of Defense <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/821675/secretary-of-defense-ash-carter-announces-policy-for-transgender-service-members/" type="external">policy</a> drew sharp criticism, as it supported service members looking to change their gender, making them eligible to receive coverage for &#8220;medically necessary care and treatment.&#8221;</p> 
<p>&#8220;This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,&#8221; former Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in announcing the policy. &#8220;We&#8217;re talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can&#8217;t allow barriers unrelated to a person&#8217;s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission.&#8221;</p> 
<p>It is not yet clear what effect this decision will have on the roughly 250 transgender individuals currently serving openly in the armed forces.</p> 
<p>SOUND OFF: Do you support Trump&#8217;s decision to ban transgender citizens from serving in our armed forces?</p>
Trump Announces Ban on Transgender People Serving in the Military