SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Following news that Senator James Inhofe, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is seeking to codify Trump’s proposed transgender military ban into law, Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin issued the following statement:

“Senator Inhofe insisted for years that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would undermine the military, falsely claiming that ending ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ would undermine ‘our military’s ability to fight, protect, and win.’ Yet gays and lesbians have now served openly and successfully for seven years in all ranks and services. Numerous military and political leaders who once opposed their service have acknowledged they were wrong and even expressed regret over a ‘moral passing of the buck.’ But not Senator Inhofe, who is now taking aim at transgender troops to score political points. The senator’s new embrace of President Trump’s proposed transgender ban is just as misguided as his earlier embrace of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’. Senior military leaders have confirmed what we know from more than two years of successful, trans-inclusive service: that inclusive policy promotes military readiness, while discrimination harms it.”