John McCain slams Trump's tweeted ban on transgender individuals serving in the military

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) released a statement Wednesday dissecting President Trump's tweeted ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. "The president's tweet this morning ... is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter," wrote McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.

McCain knocked Trump for his "unclear" statement, indicating the president failed to acknowledge that the Department of Defense "has already decided to allow currently-serving transgender individuals to stay in the military." "Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving," McCain wrote. "We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so — and should be treated as the patriots they are."

McCain served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1981 and was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than five years after his plane was shot down in 1967. Read his full statement on Trump's ban below. Kimberly Alters

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up