Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Pres. Trump announced that the U.S. military will not accept transgender troops into its ranks or allow them to serve in any capacity. This is a quick about-face from a policy instituted by Barack Obama. Last year, Obama opened up the military to openly transgendered people.  Just last month, troops had to undergo transgender sensitivity training. This will no longer be the case. The issue came into focus when Congress failed to pass an amendment that would have stripped funding for transgender therapy and surgery for soldiers. The high-profile failure angered social conservatives. The president apparently got the message and responded quickly through a series of Tweets. Trump said, after consulting "with my generals and military experts," the U.S. government "will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."