WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to a Defense Department memo stating that transgender service members will be removed from military service within 30 days while falsely proposing an inexecutable waiver.
“As I have said repeatedly, thousands of transgender service members have put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom and served openly with honor and distinction for nearly a decade. They currently fill critical roles that require years of specialized training and expertise—that will leave critical skills gaps.
“They have deployed to combat zones, carried out high-stakes missions, and proven their ability to strengthen unit cohesion and morale over and over again. There is no credible information suggesting that transgender service undermines military readiness and transgender service members are held to the exact same rigorous standards as every other Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Guardian.
“Removing them from service, or firing them, simply because they are transgender makes no sense. But this isn’t about strategy or efficiency – the bigotry and cruelty is the point.
“I urge the President to immediately withdraw this blatantly bigoted and partisan order for the sake of military readiness and morale and our national defense.”
“As I have said repeatedly, thousands of transgender service members have put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom and served openly with honor and distinction for nearly a decade. They currently fill critical roles that require years of specialized training and expertise—that will leave critical skills gaps.
“They have deployed to combat zones, carried out high-stakes missions, and proven their ability to strengthen unit cohesion and morale over and over again. There is no credible information suggesting that transgender service undermines military readiness and transgender service members are held to the exact same rigorous standards as every other Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Guardian.
“Removing them from service, or firing them, simply because they are transgender makes no sense. But this isn’t about strategy or efficiency – the bigotry and cruelty is the point.
“I urge the President to immediately withdraw this blatantly bigoted and partisan order for the sake of military readiness and morale and our national defense.”
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