On Friday, the Republican National Committee approved a resolution supporting President Trump’s efforts to prevent transgender people from serving in the military. Calling being transgender “a disqualifying psychological and physical” condition, the resolution urges the Department of Justice to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention if need be.
Last summer, before President Trump decreed on Twitter that he would be banning trans people from the military, House Republicans attempted to implement a ban through legislation. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) proposed the ban as an amendment to the defense spending bill on the House floor, but it was narrowly defeated 209–214.
Trans people, including those currently serving and those seeking to soon enlist, challenged Trump’s ban in four different cases. Four different judges in four different jurisdictions, as well as two U.S. Courts of Appeal, all ruled against the ban as being blatantly discriminatory. In late December, the Trump administration stopped fighting for its ban, and as of January 1, individuals who are openly transgender can enlist in the military for the first time. Several already have.
The RNC resolution suggests this change in the status quo would not deter Republican lawmakers from kicking all trans servicemembers out.
The Democratic National Committee was quick to respond. LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta released a statement Friday calling the resolution “hateful” because of the way it “only serves to subvert and further demean hardworking men and women who want to serve their country in the most honorable way they can.”
“The RNC has proven they are more than willing to deny basic rights to LGBTQ Americans all while accepting money from an accused sexual predator and funneling money to an alleged child molester,” Acosta said, referring to the many women who have accused Trump of sexual assault and the RNC’s support of Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore (R).