WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Trump tweeted that the U.S. military will not accept transgender troops into its ranks or allow them to serve in any capacity, reversing a policy that began under the Obama administration, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Today, on the anniversary of President Harry Truman’s order desegregating the United States Armed Forces, President Trump is choosing to retreat in the march toward equality.

“This was a divisive political move that exposes the President’s lack of faith in the professionalism of our Armed Forces.

“In the land of the free and the home of the brave, every American who is brave enough to serve their country should be free to do so.

“We want the best of the best -- people who will make our military stronger and more effective in every facet of warfighting. This discriminatory policy denies Americans, no matter how skilled and qualified they are, the opportunity to serve.

“Our troops deserve better. Our nation deserves better. The President should look at the facts and reverse this decision.”