WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump set off even more confusion and chaos than usual at the U.S. Capitol this week with a series of tweets announcing he would ban transgender people from serving in the military.
"After consultation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States government will not accept or allow ... transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military," Trump tweeted. "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming ... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption."
Texas Democrats in Congress were predictably outraged: "The president’s harmful and hate-filled policy announced via Twitter to ban transgender Americans from military service represents a new and disturbing low," U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston said in a statement.
Texas Republicans were a mix of muted, supportive and — in the case of U.S. Rep. Will Hurd of Helotes — deeply opposed.
Republican U.S. Reps. Brian Babin of Woodville, Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi and Louie Gohmert of Tyler focused on the costs to the military of covering sex reassignment surgeries, rather than the outright ban on military participation.
Two of their GOP colleagues, U.S. Reps. Lamar Smith of San Antonio and Pete Olson of Sugar Land, praised the president for listening to his military advisers on the matter — a point Trump made in his tweets before a series of reports stating that the Pentagon had been blindsided by the move.
Hurd was the lone Texas Republican who vocally opposed Trump on the matter, saying, "anybody who meets all military requirements should have the opportunity to put on a uniform and serve our great country."
But mostly, there was confusion: On Trump's motivations. On whether the ban would actually happen. The president's own top military advisers have promised to "treat all of our personnel with respect" until Trump issues a directive on exactly how to implement the policy.
Take it from U.S. House Armed Services Chairman — and Texas Republican — Mac Thornberry of Clarendon.
"It was a surprise to me, and I think the Pentagon is referring questions to the White House because it was a surprise to them too," he told the Dallas Morning News. "I don't know what to think."
"Now what?" he added.
Here's what: Take a look at how Texans in Congress are responding to Trump's latest order.
Supports the president's action:
REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Sen. John Cornyn — Republican
“There are those who’d like to use the military to experiment or to try different ideas out, including ones like this. But what I always do is rely upon the experts, and I’m confident that’s what the president has done…And I believe that that’s the correct course of action.” — Cornyn to KFYO radio host Chad Hasty
Rep. Louie Gohmert — Republican
"I really appreciate the president taking initiative because it will save a lot of money, because if somebody wants to gender reassign, it ought to be done before," Gohmert said. — Dallas Morning News
Rep. Joe Barton — Republican
"Congressman Barton supports the president’s decision. Our military leaders know best how to protect and defend the United States."
Rep. Lamar Smith — Republican
“I support the recommendation of the administration’s military advisors.”
Rep. Pete Olson — Republican
“As a former Navy pilot, I fully trust our military generals to make the best decision for military readiness and the defense of America. I’m pleased President Trump is listening to his generals and making decisions based on the safety and security of our nation.”
Rep. Roger Williams — Republican
"We need to focus on military readiness without distractions," Williams said. "National security is a top priority for our nation and our military must remain focused on keeping our country safe and protected at all times." —Dallas Morning News
Rep. Blake Farenthold — Republican
“The purpose of the military is to defend our country and the expenditures appropriated to the military should be spent on that.”
Rep. Brian Babin — Republican
"It's just common sense that we wouldn't spend over a billion dollars for a very few individuals who suddenly decide they want to change sex," Babin told local affiliate KBMT. "Again, I applaud Mr. Trump. It's common sense, the military is there for one reason and one reason only, and that is national defense, to keep us free." — Facebook
Opposes the president's action:
AP / J. Scott Applewhite
Rep. Al Green — Democrat
“The president seems to be saying that only certain people can be patriotic Americans. This is very serious. People who want to serve and want to give their all to their country should be allowed to do so." — Twitter
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez — Democrat
"I call on the president and our nation’s military leaders to re-focus their efforts on improving health care and other services for our service members and veterans and ensuring the security, freedom, and prosperity of the United States and its allies. I stand on the side of equality for all."
Rep. Beto O'Rourke — Democrat
"Never mind that transgender Americans are today putting their lives on the line, serving w honor, earning praise from their commanders," O'Rourke tweeted. "... Every time we've made the military more reflective of America, it's been made stronger." — Twitter
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee — Democrat
“The president’s harmful and hate-filled policy announced via Twitter to ban transgender Americans from military service represents a new and disturbing low. Mr. Trump’s blatant discrimination against those who wish to serve runs counter to the ideals and principals espoused by our founding fathers and articulated in the United States Constitution."
Rep. Joaquin Castro — Democrat
“America’s armed forces need every patriotic person willing to serve and defend our country. The president’s policy announcement today is gratuitously discriminatory and will damage our national security."
Rep. Will Hurd — Republican
"I served alongside many heroic individuals in the United States Armed Services during my time in the CIA and believe anybody who meets all military requirements should have the opportunity to put on a uniform and serve our great country."
Rep. Henry Cuellar — Democrat
If transgender service members are "performing their duty and military folks are fine with that, why are we going to interfere?" — Dallas Morning News
Rep. Gene Green — Democrat
“Every American should have the opportunity to serve if they want to serve. There are thousands of servicemembers who identify as transgender in our military and they have all made sacrifices to protect our national security. Military service is about loyalty, respect, and honor – not sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson — Democrat
"As a granddaughter, daughter, niece, wife and sister of a veteran, I find it shameful for the president to deem a certain group of people as unqualified to serve in our military ... A person should not be deemed unfit to lay down their life for their country based on their gender identity."
Rep. Marc Veasey — Democrat
“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am appalled that the president of the United States would blatantly abandon any American who is willing to lay down their life to defend their fellow citizens.”
Rep. Filemon Vela — Democrat
"Shame on @POTUS for banning #transgender individuals from serving in our military and protecting our freedom." — Twiiter
Rep. Lloyd Doggett — Democrat
"The master of distraction is at it again. Caught up in the swirl of misconduct surrounding the Trump family, he issues yet another ban to change the subject ... We should honor and protect all, no matter their gender, who risk their lives to defend our freedoms."
Position unclear:
REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Sen. Ted Cruz — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Ted Poe — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Sam Johnson — Republican
No comment.
Rep. John Ratcliffe — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Jeb Hensarling — Republican
No comment.
Rep. John Culberson R
No comment.
Rep. Kevin Brady — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Michael McCaul — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Mike Conaway — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Kay Granger — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Mac Thornberry — Republican
“This tweet was a complete surprise to the Department of Defense and to the Congress,” the House Armed Services Chairman said. “The standard should be to uphold the high standards of the military as warfighters – that’s what matters. If an individual can meet those standards, that’s great. If not, that person should probably look to serve elsewhere. The military cannot be a social program for some other agendas.” — Dallas Morning News
Rep. Randy Weber — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Bill Flores — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Jodey Arrington — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Kenny Marchant — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Michael Burgess — Republican
No comment.
Rep. John Carter — Republican
No comment.
Rep. Pete Sessions — Republican
No comment.
No comments: