Trump says he's 'doing the military a favor' with transgender soldier ban

President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that by banning transgender men and women from serving in the United States' armed forces, he is "doing the military a great favor."

Speaking from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said, "I have great respect for the community. I think I’ve had great support, or I’ve had great support from that community. I got a lot of votes. It’s been a very complicated issue for the military, it’s been a very confusing issue for the military, and I think I’m doing the military a great favor."

Trump in July shocked many with tweets proposing a transgender ban for those serving in the military.

In a series of tweets, Trump wrote, "After consultation with my Generals  and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

The president’s policy shift came after the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines requested a six-month delay before instituting a policy that would have allowed transgender people to enlist in the armed services.