It appears that President Donald Trump wasn't totally honest in his tweets informing Americans that he is imposing a ban on the participation of transgender citizens in the military. Trump has faced a firestorm of controversy since ruling that he doesn't want the military budget to be "burdened" by the health care expenses transgender service members would account for. And a good deal of that criticism came darting the President's way before the highest members of his Joint Chiefs of Staff even knew about his plans, it was discovered on Thursday, July 27. Which is quite a revelation, considering he opened up the series of posts he tweeted out by stating that the decision comes "After consultation with my generals and military experts."
Both U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and chairman General Joseph Dunford admitted to being blindsided by Trump's order, with Dunford sending out a memo in which he advises that the chain of command "continue to treat all of our personnel with respect." He later admitted that no directives had been received by his office. General Milley also addressed the matter, and spoke on behalf of Secretary of Defense General James Mattis, during an appearance before the National Press Club in Washington. "To date, walking in here. I have yet to receive implementation guidance, Implementation directives, from the Department of Defense, General Mattis," Milley said. "And from my knowledge of the Department of Defense, Secretary Mattis hasn't received written directives yet."
Gen. Milley broke down the chain of command in his address on Friday and assured that while he is yet to have received confirmation from anyone above him that Trump's tweets signify an impending order. Milley added that he and the rest of the generals who administer policy stand prepared to act on instituting the ban when given the official word.
