Family Research Council Applauds Pres. Trump for Returning Military's Focus to Winning Wars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2017
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, (866) FRC-NEWS or (866)-372-6397

WASHINGTON, DC -- Family Research Council (FRC) commended the Trump administration for the guidance released today that will help return our military to its core mission by the reversal of the Obama era transgender policy.  A Rasmussen survey released earlier this summer finds "just 23% of likely U.S. voters think the U.S. military's decision to allow openly transgender people to serve is good for the military."  Nearly 60 percent of active duty military personnel have a “negative opinion” of the Obama policy.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, a Marine veteran, released the following statement:

“President Trump is doing what he promised:  putting the military’s focus where it belongs – fighting and winning wars.   Political correctness doesn't win wars -- and the president is ending policies that pretend it does.

“Monday night the president rightfully praised our service men and women for their ‘shared mission’ and ‘shared purpose’ of defending our nation and freedom.   President Trump is listening to their concerns about distractions that hinder their mission – and now he is acting to address them.

“The guidance released today reflects those conversations, and prioritizes military readiness while also showing respect for those who currently serve and identify as transgender,” concluded Perkins.  

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin, former U.S. Army Delta Force commander and current Family Research Council executive vice president, added the following comments:

“Every cent spent on this politically-correct exercise is money that could prepare our troops for war. Every second wasted in ‘transgender sensitivity training’ is time that could be spent on the rifle range.

“Every American should thank President Trump for boldly prioritizing our military’s war-fighting capabilities by lifting this unnecessary burden from those preparing and fighting to achieve victory,” concluded Boykin.

For FRC's issue brief on the potential cost of a transgender military policy, please see: http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF17F52.pdf 

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