ACLU sues Trump over transgender military ban
A supporter of LGBT rights holds up an 'equality flag' on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, during an event held by Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass. in response to President Donald Trump's declaration that he wants transgender people barred from serving in the U.S. military 'in any capacity,' citing 'tremendous medical costs and disruption.' (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals joining the military.
The federal lawsuit was filed in Maryland on Monday by the ACLU of Maryland on behalf of several service members who are transgender.
Trump directed the Pentagon on Friday to implement the ban on transgender individuals joining the military, which he first announced in a tweet. He also gave to the Pentagon the authority to decide the future of openly transgender people already serving.
The lawsuit says Trump’s policy violates the equal protection rights of transgender service members who now have “grave reason to fear for their careers.”
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