Chairman Of Joint Chiefs Of Staff: Trans People Who Meet Physical/Mental Standards Should Be Allowed To Serve

General Joseph Dunford

You'll recall that when Donald Trump announced the surprise news of his proposed ban on transgender folks serving in the U.S. military, it was “after consultation with my Generals and military experts."

But it appears that may not be quite accurate.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, recently appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee and was asked whether transgender service members should be allowed to serve by New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Via Pink News:

General Dunford replied: “I would say that I believe that any individual who meets the physical and mental standards and is worldwide deployable and is currently serving should be afforded the opportunity to continue to serve.”

Asked to give assurances to transgender troops, he said: “I can promise that that will be my advice. What I just articulated is the advice I provided in private, and I’ve just provided in public.”

Senator Gillibrand also asked Dunford if he had met with transgender troops to address their concerns about the potential new policy.

He said: “I have not since August when the announcement was made, but I will certainly do that, Senator.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the highest-ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces.