Inside Trump's Choice To Ban Transgender People From The Military, And Other Trump News From Wednesday
Wednesday. July 26th. Day 187.
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Inside Trump's Choice To Ban Transgender Soldiers: Politico reports that President Trump made the decision to ban transgender troops after being pressured by congressmen who were embroiled in a debate over the Republican spending bill. The bill, which would provide funding for many of Trump's campaign promises, reportedly became stalled after certain congressmen demanded that an amendment be included that would ban funding gender reassignment surgery. Moderate Republicans threatened to drop their support of the bill over the amendment. After that, Congressmen reportedly turned to Trump to issue his own directive.
Trump Tweets That Government Won't Let Transgender People In The Military: In a tweet Wednesday morning, Donald Trump announced that the US military will not allow transgender people to serve. Last year, the Obama administration began the process of allowing transgender enlistment, with Defense Secretary Ash Carter issuing a directive to permit troops to come out and serve and undergo gender reassignment surgery, but under Trump Defense Secretary James Mattis, the process stalled earlier this month.
Republican Senator and veteran John McCain blasted Trump's tweet in a statement, saying "any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving."
Update: In a press conference, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that President Trump made the decision to ban trans people from the military yesterday. She said that the White House and Department of Defense are working together to decide what will happen to trans people currently serving in the military.
Trump Lashes Out After Republican Health Care Bill Fails Again: Wednesday morning, Trump lashed out at Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over Twitter, saying that she let down the country Tuesday when she was one of two Republicans who voted against debating the repeal of Obamacare.
Tuesday evening, the Senate voted down an amendment that would provide a comprehensive replacement for Obamacare. Nine Republicans voted against it.
Trump Continues To Put Pressure On Attorney General Jeff Sessions: This morning, President Trump continued to put pressure on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, tweeting that he should have replaced acting FBI director Andrew McCabe because of his association with former FBI director James Comey.
Trump has subjected Sessions to a week of intense public criticism, which began in last week's New York Times interview where Trump said he would have never would have hired Sessions if he knew he'd recuse himself from the probe into President Trump's connections to Russia. Yesterday in the Rose Garden, Trump told reporters that he was disappointed in Sessions.
Trump Makes Big Promises At Ohio Rally, Calls Immigrant Criminals 'Animals': At a rally in Ohio last night, President Trump doubled down on some of his big promises that he made during his campaign. Trump once again swore that he'd deliver a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan, the border wall, and more manufacturing jobs. Trump also raised eyebrows when talking about deporting criminal immigrants, calling them "animals". Trump tweeted about the rally Wednesday morning.
Russia Threatens Repercussions If Trump Signs New Sanctions Into Law: Various Russian officials threatened consequences for the US if President Trump sign new Russian sanctions into law, passed yesterday by the House. Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy chairman of the international affairs committee in Russia's upper house, said that the country has prepared "economic and political measures that will be adopted if the Senate and Trump support the bill." Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the international affairs committee of the upper house, warned of a "painful" response.
