This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/transgender-military-ban-latest-trump-chelsea-manning-cowardice-social-experiment-a7861411.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chelsea Manning responds to Trump's transgender military ban: 'Sounds like cowardice' Chelsea Manning responds to Trump's transgender military ban: 'Sounds like cowardice'
(about 1 hour later)
Chelsea Manning has responded to Donald Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the US military, accusing the President of "cowardice".Chelsea Manning has responded to Donald Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the US military, accusing the President of "cowardice".
Mr Trump claimed "tremendous medical costs and disruption" were behind the move. Mr Trump claimed "tremendous medical costs and disruption" were behind the move, which bars transgender people from serving "in any capacity".
Transgender service members have been able to serve openly in the military since last year, when Barack Obama's Defence Secretary ended the ban. Transgender service members have been able to serve openly in the military since last year, when Barack Obama's Defence Secretary ended the ban. 
It is not clear what impact the new measure will have. A Pentagon spokesman refused to answer questions about what the announcement means for the current policy. The President made the announcement in a string of tweets on Wednesday morning, saying that after consulting with "generals and military experts," the government "will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US military." 
It is not clear what impact the new measure will have and whether it will apply to those already serving in the armed forces. A Pentagon spokesman refused to answer questions about the measure.
"Call the White House," Navy captain Jeff Davis said when asked."Call the White House," Navy captain Jeff Davis said when asked.
Responding to the surprise announcement, delivered by Mr Trump in a string of tweets on Wednesday, Ms Manning said: "So, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? Sounds like cowardice." Responding to the surprise announcement, Ms Manning said: "So, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? Sounds like cowardice."
The former soldier, who was released from prison in May after serving seven years for leaking secret military documents to WikiLeaks, said the armed forces "have always been a social experiment just as much as a fighting force". The former soldier, who was released from prison in May after serving seven years for disclosing secret military documents to WikiLeaks, said the armed forces "have always been a social experiment just as much as a fighting force".
In a later tweet, she suggested that the move showed military funding should be diverted into an improved healthcare system. In a later tweet, she suggested that the move showed military funding should be diverted into an improved healthcare system. 
In 2015, announcing the ban on transgender military personnel was to be lifted, former Defence Secretary Ash Carter described the law as "outdated". Meanwhile, Stephen Peters, a spokesman for LGBT advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign said the President's decision was "morally reprehensible," "patently unpatriotic" and dangerous because it put "a target on the backs of thousands of service members".
“The Defence Department's current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions," he said. Campaign group Vets Against Trump said in a series of statements on Twitter: “You don’t know anything about service. Shame on you.
“At a time when our troops have learned from experience that the most important qualification for service members should be whether they're able and willing to do their job, our officers and enlisted personnel are faced with certain rules that tell them the opposite. “You are dishonouring people who, unlike you, actually donned the uniform to serve their nation.
“Moreover, we have transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines – real, patriotic Americans – who I know are being hurt by an outdated, confusing, inconsistent approach that's contrary to our value of service and individual merit.” It added: “The greatest 'burden' on our military is a reckless, ignorant CIC who dishonours the office and actively undermines our national security."
Ash Carter, who as secretary of defence last year ended the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military, criticised Mr Trump's decision.
"To choose service members on other grounds than military qualification," he said, "is social policy and has no place in our military." 
Mr Carter added that transgender individuals already are serving capably and honorably in the military. 
Associated Press contributed to this report