In response to President Trump’s statement announcing that he will ban transgender people from the military, rebuking the military-led process currently underway to incorporate transgender troops into the armed forces, DNC National Finance Chair Henry Muñoz, DNC LGBT Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes, and DNC Treasurer Bill Derrough, who was prevented from serving as a military officer because he was openly gay, released this statement:

“Right this moment, around the world, brave transgender service members are protecting the American people – including Donald Trump and Mike Pence. While the White House claims to be celebrating ‘American Heroes’ week, the president and vice president are shoving real American patriots back in the closet and putting our nation’s security at risk.

“Donald Trump said he would protect LGBTQ people, but today’s decision to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military proves his promise was another bald-faced lie. Democrats stand with the transgender community and we will fight this administration’s bigotry tooth-and-nail. Those who defend our right to live freely should be able to serve freely. This cowardly statement by Donald Trump shames our nation and its history of advancing diversity in our military – from the integration of African-Americans into the military by President Truman to President Obama’s ending of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell – and it is an insult to the millions of Americans who have courageously served our nation.