Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ban on transgender people in the US military, Attorney General Maura Healey emphasized the need for caution and patience in the wake of the Wednesday morning tweet-storm.
“This is a tweet right now,” Healey said in an interview with Boston Public Radio Wednesday. “This is...another attempt to distract and take everybody’s eye off the ball, get everybody riled up."
Trump announced the news via Twitter Wednesday morning.
“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Trump tweeted. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you”
Healey urged that the legal and political consequences of Trump’s announcement are still unknown. According to Healey, the tweets may only amount to a distraction from other ongoing matters.
“Let’s not lose focus about what’s happening right now in Congress with the debate around health care right now, and what’s happening with the important investigation that’s ongoing by the Senate and House intelligence committees,” Healey said. “We’re going to see what comes from this executive order and what action is taken, and you know I’ll be the first in line as a state attorney general to take whatever action is necessary through the courts to protect people’s civil rights.”
Trump’s announcement comes on the 69th anniversary of President Harry Truman’s executive order to end racial discrimination in the US military, an irony Healey used to contrast past and present.
“What a contrast!” Healey said. “Here we are today with thousands and thousands of enlisted men and women who are currently serving who are transgender, who wake up to learn the news that their commander-in-chief has taken this position.”
“These are people who are putting their lives on the line for our country. It is just despicable,” Healey continued. “Especially from a guy who didn’t have the guts to serve not once, not twice, not three times, not four times, but five times.” Healey was referring to the five deferments that Donald Trump received to avoid the military draft himself.
Healey drew on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" repeal as an example of similar legislation that was eventually struck down, as civil rights prevailed.
“Whether it’s African-Americans, whether it’s gays and lesbians, whether it’s transgender people — our military continues to benefit from a more inclusive military,” Healey said. “God bless the brave men and women who are willing to step up and serve right now in this time of crisis, with all the challenges that we’re facing in the world.”
Maura Healey is the Massachusetts Attorney General. To hear her full interview with Boston Public Radio, click on the audio player above.
