Mattis to keep policy on transgender troops in place pending study on how to implement Trump's ban
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Defense Secretary James Mattis announced Tuesday that he will keep in place the current policy allowing transgender people in the military to continue to serve while a new expert panel studies the issue.
Mattis said the panel will provide recommendations on how to implement President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military, report the Washington Post, the New York Times and USA Today. A press release is here and the announcement is here.
According to the Washington Post, Mattis did not reverse Trump or refuse to comply with his broader ban on new transgender recruits. Still, some were praising Mattis as a “hero” after the announcement.
Two federal lawsuits filed on Monday contend the ban violates constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process by singling out transgender individuals for unequal treatment. Trump signed a directive to implement the ban on Friday.
