The presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential candidate, a man known for his vocal criticism of the Trump administration's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
This information comes to light following a thorough examination of public reports.
As reported by the Daily Caller, the ban was initially announced by former President Donald Trump in 2017. Trump justified the ban by arguing that the military should concentrate on achieving "a decisive and overwhelming victory" without the "tremendous medical costs and disruption" that he believed transgender military personnel would cause. Walz, however, was a staunch critic of this policy during Trump's presidency, branding it as "completely unacceptable" and cautioning that it could potentially undermine military readiness.
The question of whether transgender individuals should be permitted to serve in the military remains a contentious issue. A 2021 Gallup poll revealed that 66% of Americans supported the idea, a decrease from 71% in 2019.
Walz, a former enlisted soldier with 24 years of service, expressed his views on the matter in a 2017 statement, now archived. He said, After 24 years of service as an enlisted soldier, I know what it takes to build cohesive teams in our military. This President [Trump], who hasnt served a day of his life in uniform, does not. Let me be clear: serving alongside troops who happen to be different from you is not a challenge.
Walz further criticized Trump's decision, stating, This announcement is a clear indication that the President fails to understand a fundamental truth: our troops are capable professionals who can carry out any mission this nation requires. This is nothing more than the President using American lives to attempt to distract from his own political problems.
In 2018, the Trump administration revised the ban, with the then Secretary of Defense stating that transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances.
Walz continued his criticism into 2019, stating that it was not only wrong but weakens our national security to bar transgender people from serving. He pledged not to allow the issue to be used as a political football and to uphold principles of inclusion and equity.
The ban on transgender military personnel was eventually reversed in 2021 by the Biden administration. The Pentagon under Biden has adopted several policies viewed as left-leaning, including funding medical treatments for transgender individuals, supporting LGBTQ initiatives, and offering reimbursement to servicemembers who travel out of state for an abortion. These policies, while celebrated by some, have also drawn criticism from those who believe they divert attention and resources from the military's primary mission.
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