‘We don’t transmit orders via Twitter’: US military transgender policy unchanged for now

Transgender individuals will serve openly until the Pentagon receives Donald Trump’s orders, the US military’s top officer says.

The US military will continue to permit transgender individuals to serve openly until Pentagon chief Jim Mattis has received President Donald Trump’s “direction” to change the policy and how to implement it, America’s top military officer says.

Key points:

• The statement suggests the US military’s top brass were not informed of the policy change
• Senior officials slam Mr Trump’s use of Twitter to make military announcements
• Experts say, if implemented, the Pentagon should expected to fight tough legal battles

In a memo to all military service chiefs, commanders and enlisted military leaders, General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said “there will be no modifications” to current policy for now, amid questions about Mr Trump’s announcement on Twitter that the US government will no longer “accept or allow” transgender people to serve in any capacity in the military.

“I know there are questions about yesterday’s announcement on the transgender policy by the President,” General Dunford wrote.

Source: US military transgender policy unchanged until Pentagon receives ‘direction’ from Donald Trump – Donald Trump’s America – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)