Senator Tammy Duckworth (D–Il.) was wounded in Iraq. She lost parts of both legs when her helicopter was shot down in 2004. Duckworth has been staunchly against the Trump administration plan to ban transgender troops. Today’s Supreme Court decision will allow the Pentagon to bar enlistment for those who have undergone a gender transition.
“When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter on that dusty field in Iraq, I didn’t care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender, black, white, male or female. All that mattered was they didn’t leave me behind.
“If you are willing to risk your life for our country and you can do the job, you should be able to serve-no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation.
“Today’s decision is disheartening not only because it will help the Trump Administration discriminate against an ever-shrinking portion of our population who are willing to serve in uniform, but also because it enables the Administration to further disrupt to our military and weaken our national security.
“I hope the Court takes up this case and loudly and clearly tells the Administration that this sort of discrimination has no place in our military, and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress will send the same message and show our servicemembers that we have their backs.”
and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress will send the same message and show our servicemembers that we have their backs. https://t.co/5HB5A1YmR2
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) January 22, 2019