Donald Trump's transgender ban announcement is met with swift backlash

People online have more compassion than — and know the value of trans people more than — the president

Published July 26, 2017 12:25PM (EDT)

 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Immediately after President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that he was barring transgender Americans from serving in the military, the head of the U.S. armed forces was met with stunned disbelief over the slap in the face to thousands of service members.

There are thousands of active transgender service members protecting America, according to the Rand Corporation.

Trump's shots at the people who put themselves in the line of fire for America's freedoms — and the people who support them — has caused people to respond to Trump's declaration with swift anger.

Former Vice President Joe Biden weighed in, saying that "every American who is qualified . . . should be able to serve."

Then there was a story from a Twitter user who described her experiences under the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell:

It's worth noting that Trump is pivoting to a red-meat issue for conservatives as his conservative base responded to outrage over his brazen attempt at resurrecting two culture war issues — the military and transgender rights — a day after the conservative media hit him for his attacks against Jeff Sessions. And, as Trump proved Wednesday morning, those attacks don't look like they'll be ending soon.


By Michael Glassman

Michael Glassman is on Salon’s Breaking News team. You can find him on Twitter at @warnkemg

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Lgbt Military Lgbtq Military Ban President Trump Transgender Ban Trump Tweets