1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the Trump administration's transgender military ban and support legislation protecting the service of transgender troops who have proven their dedication to our country. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard oral arguments in Talbott v. USA regarding this discriminatory policy. What emerged during the nearly three-hour hearing was deeply troubling. Judges across ideological lines, including Trump appointee Judge Justin R. Walker, pressed government lawyers on whether the ban's waiver and separation processes are meaningful or merely formalities designed to predetermine the removal of transgender troops. Judge Judith Ann Wilson Rogers characterized these processes as "meaningless" and "just moving paper around," noting there appears to be "no chance that one of the plaintiffs could continue to serve." Judge Robert L. Wilkins pointed out the government adopted this policy revoking protections for service members who "have been in for years and are serving fine, getting bronze stars and other commendations" without examining data on how previous policies worked. Even Judge Walker noted the government struggled to identify any other medical condition triggering automatic separation without individualized evaluation. The human cost is real. Plaintiff Gordon Herrero was selected for promotion to major but had his scroll withheld and will not be promoted with his peers. Plaintiff Jamie Hash, an Air Force senior master sergeant with over 14 years of service, noted there is "nearly a decade of evidence showing improved readiness and unit cohesion" among transgender service members. Lead plaintiff Nicolas Talbott described how careers are "put on hold in this limbo area." Transgender people have fought and died for this country. They deserve the same respect and opportunity to serve as any other qualified service member. I urge you to publicly oppose this ban and support legislative protections for transgender troops.