Mattis Allows Transgender Troops To Serve During Review

Law360, Nashville (August 30, 2017, 1:58 PM EDT) -- Defense Secretary James Mattis announced late Tuesday that transgender troops will continue to be allowed to openly serve in the military for the time being, saying he will not fully implement President Donald Trump’s recent ban until a review panel completes its work and he has a chance to advise the president. In a statement released Tuesday night, Mattis said he would establish a panel of experts from within the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security “to provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of the president’s direction.”

“Panel members will bring mature experience, most notably in combat and deployed operations, and seasoned judgment to this task,” Mattis said. RELATED VIDEO: President Trump: Transgender People Can’t Serve in U.S. Military in ‘Any Capacity’

Trump had announced via Twitter on July 26 that he would no longer allow transgender soldiers to serve in the military, arguing that the organization “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

Mattis explained that he is following the President’s directive for an implementation plan, and will establish a panel of experts from the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, who will assess the situation and come up with recommendations, but that current policy will continue to remain in place during this assessment.
Defense Secretary James Mattis announces that transgender troops in the military will continue to serve pending the results of a study started in June to assess the Pentagon's ability to fight and win wars.