WASHINGTON, July 26 -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would not allow transgender individuals to serve in the U.S. military in any capacity.
"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," Trump tweeted.
The U.S. 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," he continued.
A ban on transgender people serving openly in the military ended last year, but a year-long review was put in place to allow the Pentagon to figure out how to bring in new transgender recruits into the military.
Trump's announcement came after U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he was delaying the implementation of the new plan on the eve of the one-year deadline for the military to upgrade medical standards for transgender service members.
Mattis said late in June that the Pentagon needs more time to assess whether the new policy would affect the ability of the U.S. military to defend the country.
A Pentagon-commissioned study in 2016 showed that there are an estimated 1,320 to 6,630 transgender service members in the U.S. military.
It concluded that allowing them to serve openly would have a minimal impact on the readiness and health care costs of the 1.3-million-member U.S. military force.
Several Republican Congressmen have urged the Trump administration to reverse the policy on the basis that it is not in the interest of the national defense.
国内英语资讯:China issues statement to promote maritime development
体坛英语资讯:13-year-old one-armed Chinese basketball player becomes Internet sensation
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier stresses stabilizing foreign trade, investment
国内英语资讯:China raises flood response to second-highest level
国内英语资讯:Open call for intl cultural, tourism projects along Belt and Road starts
国内英语资讯:China refutes U.S. unwarranted comments on its cooperation with WHO
体坛英语资讯:Chinese snooker player Chen Feilong ousted from Championship League
国际英语资讯:Kenya records highest daily spike in COVID-19 cases as tally passes 15,000
体坛英语资讯:Jorge Jesus extends Flamengo contract
我国再添世界地质公园
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Chinese, U.S. experts discuss ways to avoid new Cold War
国内英语资讯:China refutes U.S. accusations over South China Sea military exercises
国内英语资讯:Overall situation at China-India boundary stable, ameliorating: FM spokesperson
国际英语资讯:Update: China denounces U.S. request to close Houston consulate
巴黎圣母院塔尖将按原样重建
国内英语资讯:China spreads reforms tested by pilot FTZs nationwide
体坛英语资讯:Peru coach Gareca says football in need of quick return
体坛英语资讯:Piatek has to be patient, says Hertha legend Kiraly
国内英语资讯:China stresses flood control, advancing water conservancy projects
体坛英语资讯:2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Round 2 qualifiers to be played in October, November
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier stresses investment in agriculture
体坛英语资讯:Chinese snooker player Liang Wenbo reaches last 16 at Championship League
国内英语资讯:Xi Focus: Xi stresses braving challenges in fighting floods to ensure safety of peoples li
国内英语资讯:Top political advisor stresses measures to help left-behind children, elderly
体坛英语资讯:Analysis: Timo Werner on the move to Chelsea
体坛英语资讯:All footballers in North Macedonia to be tested for COVID-19 ahead of restart
国际英语资讯:Turkey reports 913 new COVID-19 cases, 223,315 in total
体坛英语资讯:2020 Formula One season to start with two races in Austria
体坛英语资讯:Maradona renews deal as Gimnasia boss
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Chinas first Mars mission attracts global attention