President Biden on Monday repealed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.
“President Biden signed today an Executive Order that sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve,” the White House said in a press release.
“President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity.”
Trump announced in a July 2017 tweet that the transgender ban would be reinstated.
Trump wrote: “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.”
In 2011, the military lifted its ban on gay and lesbian members after Congress in 2010 repealed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy implemented during the Clinton administration. Debate on transgender military members lasted years more. Former President Barack Obama in 2016 ordered the ban lifted, to take effect in mid-2017.
.