President Donald Trump's move to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military, "stand on their own," Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters Monday, per a report in The Hill.
"I think the statements stand on their own right now, and I don't need to waste our guests' time reiterating what's already down," Mattis said.
Trump last Friday signed a memorandum that said transgender individuals with a history of "gender dysphoria," which was defined as "those who may require substantial medical treatment, including through medical drugs or surgery," are disqualified from military service "except under certain limited circumstances."
It added that the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security "may exercise their authority to implement any appropriate policies concerning military service by transgender individuals," and said transgender troops who are currently in the U.S. military may remain in the ranks although the Pentagon could require them to serve according to their gender at birth.
The policy adopted recommendations from Mattis that the Department of Defense will be in the "strongest position to protect the American people, to fight and win America's wars, and to ensure the survival and success of our service members around the world."
The move follows an August memo issued by the White House banning transgender people from enlisting.
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