Biden overturns Trump’s ban on transgender service members in US military

President Joe Biden has overturned Donald Trump’s ban against transgender Americans serving in the US military.

The executive order “sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve”, according to a statement from the White House. “The All-Volunteer Force thrives when it is composed of diverse Americans who can meet the rigorous standards for military service, and an inclusive military strengthens our national security.”

President Biden’s order revokes his predecessor’s 2017 memorandum, another move from the incoming administration that undercuts Mr Trump’s legacy of controversial and severe executive actions.

During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve, and you can expect that I will support that throughout."

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