US Moves to Block Transgender Military Recruits Signing Up

By AFP. President Donald Trump’s administration has asked a federal court to block the Pentagon from starting the hiring of transgender recruits next year.

The filing by the Justice Department late on Wednesday is the latest in a series of legal measures that have unfolded since Trump sent out three tweets in July saying that transgender troops could not serve “in any capacity” in the military.

Those tweets, later followed by a formal White House memorandum, set off a roar of protest — with several service members and rights groups quick to sue.

Two federal courts have since temporarily blocked Trump’s ban, and the Pentagon was due to start accepting transgender recruits on January 1.

The government’s filing calls for a partial delay, specifically that the Pentagon does not accept transgender recruits from that date. (Read more from “US Moves to Block Transgender Military Recruits Signing Up” HERE)

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Pentagon Prepares to Accept Transgender Recruits by Jan. 1

By Tara Copp. The Pentagon is preparing to comply with a federal court ruling saying the military must accept new transgender recruits by Jan. 1, even as officials are still weighing how to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive that they not be allowed to serve at all.

“January 1 means January 1,” said Jennifer Levi, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders Transgender Rights project director.

Levi was reacting to a U.S. District Court ruling that the Pentagon must move forward with accepting transgender recruits by the Jan. 1 deadline.

“That’s the date when the military can no longer deny transgender people from enlisting,” Levi said. “The court’s earlier order was clear on that point. This latest ruling is an exclamation point, not that any was needed.” (Read more from “Pentagon Prepares to Accept Transgender Recruits by Jan. 1” HERE)

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