Biden officially reverses Trump's ban on transgender military members

President Biden on Monday officially reversed, via executive order, a ban on transgender people serving in the United States military. Former President Trump announced the restrictions in 2017, and Biden was widely expected to repeal them once in office.

On Twitter, Biden called the ban "discriminatory," writing that "America is safer when everyone qualified to serve can do so openly and with pride." An official statement from the White House echoed that sentiment, saying "an inclusive force is a more effective force."

The news was warmly received by several Democratic lawmakers, as well as former Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), though it was questioned by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who suggested the move puts a dent in Biden's promise to unify the country.

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Several people, however, pointed out a 2019 Gallup poll that showed lifting the ban was favored by 71 percent of people in the U.S. Tim O'Donnell