Defense Secretary Jim Mattis faced sharp questioning on his yet-to-be-implemented policy on transgender troops during his testimony Thursday before the House Armed Services Committee as one lawmaker held up a photo and asked whether such troops are a “burden.”
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif. cited the case of Air Force Staff Sgt. Logan Ireland, a transgender service member who served in Afghanistan.
“Do you believe that currently serving transgender troops like Staff Sgt. Ireland are a burden to our military?” Speier asked.
Mattis said that while several challenges to any changes in the current policy are pending in the courts, the prior administration policy remains in effect.
“It’s a highly-charged issue from some people’s perspective, and it is under litigation right now. So out of respect for the courts, I will just tell you the current policy stays in effect, the last administration’s policy as directed by the courts.”
Mattis said his recommendation to the president has not been put in force in deference to the judiciary.
“I gave a recommendation that troops, patriotic Americans who do not have gender dysphoria should be allowed to serve. I did not recommend that we change the standards that apply to all in that regard, or make a special group,” Mattis said. “And I prefer to leave the courts to their action at this point, and then see where they stand at the end of it.”
“Well Mr. Secretary you rolled out this new policy and now you are saying you are not prepared to defend it,” Speier responded.
“Oh I’m prepared to defend it ma’am,” Mattis quickly replied. “But out of respect for the courts I do not want intrude into something that would be inappropriate for me to say, something that would somehow impact a court case.”
