U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Friday that bans some transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military, but gives the armed forces latitude in implementing policies.
The memorandum said transgender individuals with a history of gender dysphoria, defined as “those who may require substantial medical treatment, including through medical drugs or surgery”, are disqualified from military service “except under certain limited circumstances.”
It added that the Secretaries of Defence and Homeland Security “may exercise their authority to implement any appropriate policies concerning military service by transgender individuals.”
The White House said Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had found that individuals with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria presented a risk to military effectiveness.
“This new policy will enable the military to apply well-established mental and physical health standards... equally to all individuals who want to join and fight for the best military force the world has ever seen,” it said.
Mr. Trump’s decision is less restrictive than his initial comments in a July Twitter message saying he would prohibit transgender people from military service. That blanket ban reversed former President Barack Obama’s policy.
A number of federal judges have already issued rulings blocking Mr. Trump’s ban, saying it would probably violate the right, under the U.S. Constitution, to equal protection under the law. On Friday, the Pentagon reaffirmed that it would continue to comply with federal law.
“(The Pentagon) will continue to assess and retain transgender service members,” Pentagon spokesman Major David Eastburn said.
