Military will begin enforcing transgender troop ban in April: report

President Trump's ban on transgender troops will go into effect next month, according to a Pentagon memo.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that a memo sent by Pentagon officials states that all individuals who have transitioned or who need to in the view of medical providers will be banned from serving beginning April 12.

The new policy also prohibits those with a history of gender dysphoria from joining the armed services unless they have been "stable" in their biological sex for three years, agree to abide by the guidelines for that sex, and have not transitioned and do not need to in the view of medical providers, according to the Post.

The Hill has reached out to the Defense Department for comment.

Critics of the rule, including Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, called the rule "discriminatory" and said it prevented willing Americans from serving in the military.

“Anyone who is qualified and willing should be allowed to serve their country openly,” Smith said in a statement. “Make no mistake, this is a discriminatory ban on transgender people, not a ban on a medical condition, and we will continue to fight against this bigoted policy.”

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/433983-military-will-begin-enforcing-transgender-troop-ban-in-april-report