GOP senators break with Trump over transgender troop ban

The Hill ^ | 07/26/2017 | John Bowden

[GIdget2004]

Multiple Republican senators broke with President Trump on Wednesday after he announced on Twitter than transgender troops would be banned from serving in the military.

In separate statements, GOP Sens. John McCain (Ariz.), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Richard Shelby (Ala.), and Orrin Hatch (Utah) all criticized Trump for his decision that Obama-era rules allowing transgender troops to serve would be reversed.

McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, ripped the call and said that Trump shouldn't be making policy announcements via tweet.

“The President’s tweet this morning regarding transgender Americans in the military is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter," McCain wrote in his statement.

“The statement was unclear," he added. "The Department of Defense has already decided to allow currently-serving transgender individuals to stay in the military, and many are serving honorably today. Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving."

"There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military — regardless of their gender identity."

[Jim Noble]

The only thing Ryan and McConnell are concerned with is getting to 67.

[laplata]

“The Senate is a pay for play operation”.

Yes, it is. They’re sorry bastards.

[Sarah Barracuda]

They are all “On our side” til they go to Washington, then they become douche bags only out for themselves

[HLPhat]

McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, ripped the call and said that Trump shouldn't be making policy announcements via tweet.

 

GeeOpie: What happens now?

Scott Toomey: Well, now, uh, Ken Mehlman, R. Clarke Cooper, Meghan McCain, Mary Cheney and I wait until nightfall, and then leap out of the Fithcally Conthervative log cabin, taking The Party(tm) by surprise -- not only by surprise, but totally unarmed!

GeeOpie: Who leaps out?

Scott Toomey: Uh, Ken Mehlman,  R. Clarke Cooper, Meghan McCain, Mary Cheney and I. Uh, leap out of the log cabin, uh and uh....

GeeOpie: Oh....

Scott Toomey: Oh.... Um, l-look, if we built this large wooden Rhinocerous -- [twong]

ALL:  Run away!  Run away!  Run away!  Run away!
      [splat]

That McCain?

[BillyBoy]

Shelby's been a squish for a long time.

I'm surprised Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins are NOT on this list (and I can imagine Rob Portman crying about it, too)

[EnglishOnly]

Vote these Morons out ASAP!

[bryan999]

No complaints here!

[marron]

Somehow our military got by for 200 years without these people.

Do you really want to trust someone who is mentally ill with a loaded weapon?

[Chauncey Gardiner]

They just want to go on record when they know their statements are of no consequence. Safe territory for feigned outrage. RINOs.

[DrPretorius]

The problem the transgenders pose for the military is that these people pursue their sex change bullshiite after they’ve already been accepted for service. This causes huge medical costs for reconstructive surgery and associated mental conditions, all of which render these sick people unfit for duty for years on end. Its a scam that Trump is hip to and trying to stop.

[theoilpainter]

Serious question: does the POTUS have the constitutional authority to make/change/modify rules in this area, or is it a legislative decision? If the Executive does have the authority, it would be reviewable by the Judicial branch, unless there is some rule denying jurisdiction, which I doubt, as prohibitions on judicial review are very rare, to say the least.

I’d like to hear Trump’s rational for this. Were I POTUS, I would defer this to the military, as they are in the best position to determine who should serve and in what capacity.

[grania]

Joni Ernst

Too much swampwater?

[HenpeckedCon]

I’m surprised by Richard Shelby being on this list.

__________________________________________

Shelby used to be a democrat.

[Jim W N]

GOP senators break with AMERICA over transgender troop ban.

Ban the corrupt career GOP politicians.

THROW THE BUMS OUT!

[fwdude]

Good. I’m glad this announcement brought all the traitors out of hiding.

[SkyDancer]

You don’t use the military for social experiments.

[Jim W N]

GOP senators break with AMERICA over transgender troop ban.

Ban the corrupt career GOP politicians.

THROW THE BUMS OUT!

[JayGalt]

Transsexuals have too many issues on their mind to be active service personnel. Not only emotionally but continued drug therapy, keeping their new orifices open etc.

It was a bassackwards decision by the bassackward president, more for image and political purposes & to hell with the effect on moral, combat readiness & America’s defense. I’m not surprised John McCain is incensed. He hates the military and does anything he can to hurt our troops.

[Axenolith]

+1

[Ted Grant]

Of course they did.