Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox speak out on Trump's transgender military ban
— -- Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox are objecting to President Trump's new policy that bans members of the trans community from serving in the military.
Trump tweeted this morning that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in the U.S. military "in any capacity" -- a decision he said he made after speaking with military generals and experts.
The two women, both of whom are transgender, spoke out in solidarity with the trans community and criticized the president for not showing support for trans servicemen and women.
"There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us," tweeted Jenner, who voted for Trump. "What happened to your promise to fight for them?"
In June 2016, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that transgender individuals would be able to openly serve in the armed forces. At the time, he made reference to a Rand study estimate indicating that between 1,320 and 6,630 of 1.3 million active duty service members might be transgender.
Last April Jenner told ABC News' Diane Sawyer that she was frustrated by the president's decision in February to rescind Obama-era guidance that directed schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity. Later that month, Jenner visited the White House.
"He wanted me to come play golf with him,” Jenner told Sawyer before her White House appearance. "At that time, I thought it was a pretty good idea, but since Title IX, it's not a good idea and so I won't be playing golf with him ... Would I meet with him privately on this issue? Absolutely."
Meanwhile, Cox claimed in a statement obtained by ABC News that the new policy sends the message to trans Americans everywhere that "our lives, our safety and our service are less valuable and unwanted in this country."
"I have heard from [current and former transgender military members] humiliating stories of being misgendered and experiencing various kinds of mistreatment when they are willing to put their lives on the line in ways many of us would never do including our current president," the "Orange Is the New Black" star said. "Let's all come together and send the message to trans Americans that despite what this president and administration proclaims that trans lives, safety and service are valuable, that they matter.”
The actress later thanked members of the trans community currently serving in the military.
"I am sorry your 'commander in chief' doesn't value it," she added.
Other celebrities have also expressed their opinions about the ban.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Rand’s estimate of how many active duty service members might be transgender, as referenced by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on June 30, 2016, in the Pentagon briefing room.
