Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Trump's proposed transgender ban in the military

DUCKWORTH

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, left, speaks to veterans about some of the issues they face.

SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH, D-Ill, provided major clapback against Donald Trump's memo barring the recruitment of transgender people for the U.S. military.

Duckworth, who lost both legs when her helicopter crashed in Iraq in 2004, issued a major statement in anticipation of Trump's action.

“When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter after I was shot down, I didn’t care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender, black, white or brown. All that mattered was they didn't leave me behind. If you are willing to risk your life for our country and you can do the job, you should be able to serve—no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation. Anything else is not just discriminatory, it is disruptive to our military and it is counterproductive to our national security. 

"If the President enacts this ban, which would harm our military readiness, the Democratic and Republican Members of Congress who oppose this discrimination must enact legislation that prevents it from taking effect,” said Duckworth, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col.

Trump signed the memo Friday (Aug. 25) which bans any new transgender men or women from joining the military, but also leaves it to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to determine the fates of transgender military service personnel currently serving.

When Trump first floated the proposal last July through a series of tweets, Duckworth called the idea “sickening” after reports emerged how Trump had dodged the draft during the Vietnam War.

Trump issued his memo despite a 112-page report commissioned by the Department of Defense that found there weren't any financial or medical reasons to ban transgender people from the military.

Many politicians from both parties have quickly criticized the proposal in public.

"Trump’s decision to kick transgender service members out of the military reflects no understanding or appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who serve. Every American who is willing to risk their life to defend our freedom deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. And any form of discrimination against the transgender community is unacceptable," sad Rep. Mark Takno, the first openly gay Asian/American congressmember.

"President Trump is the commander-in-chief. He needs to start acting like it," he said.

“An estimated 15,000 transgender men and women serve in the U.S. Military today. Instead of honoring them, the president has demeaned their sacrifice.," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash, who is a member of the Congress's LGBTQ Caucust.

"Sixty-nine years ago on this day, President Harry Truman took the historic step of desegregating the military and advancing the cause of equality.," said Jayapal. "Today, President Trump – who hasn’t served a day in the military – is taking us back.” 

Sen. John McCain, R-Az, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, had earlier called Trump’s policy pronouncement as “unclear”, reported Vox.

“We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so — and should be treated as the patriots they are,” he said.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Ia, a veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, shared a similar view on the matter: “Americans who are qualified and can meet the standards to serve in the military should be afforded that opportunity.”

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