WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, today released the following statement regarding President Trump’s decision to reverse military policy and ‘not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.’

“President Trump’s decision to ban transgender Americans from serving in any capacity in the U.S. Military is outrageous and shameful. What President Trump has done today is tell more than a million Americans that they are not equal or valued. While he may cite ‘tremendous medical costs and disruption’ as the basis for this decision, this claim has been disproven. In reality, his decision is based in discrimination and an effort to reverse progress made under the Obama Administration.

“Since the first days of his campaign, President Trump has denigrated and disrespected the LGBT community. Transgender Americans deserve respect and the opportunity to serve our nation in the military. With more than 15,000 transgender Americans serving in the military today, President Trump should immediately reverse course on his decision and he should stop using shocking policy shifts on Twitter to distract Americans from his failing health care plan.”