Hoyer Statement on District Court Blocking President Trump's Military Transgender Ban

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia partially blocked President Trump's harmful ban on transgender Americans serving in the military:

“I am relieved that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has prevented the Trump Administration from implementing its discriminatory ban that would have harmed our national security by limiting which talented Americans could serve in our military.  However, this relief is tempered by the bitter reality that President Trump continues to break promise after promise to LGBT Americans and has launched a relentless assault against their equal rights and equal dignity in our country. 
 
“The ban on transgender Americans serving in uniform, against the judgment of our military leaders, would have hamstrung our military’s effectiveness and denied it the expertise and skills of many Americans who have much to offer to our national defense.  I urge the President to use this ruling as an opportunity to step back from such a ban and instead reaffirm that all those who wish to serve in our military, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression, will be allowed to serve the nation they love.”