But the policy includes narrow exemptions allowing some transgender members to serve. The Pentagon responded by allowing those serving to stay in the military, and began allowing transgender individuals to enlist beginning Jan. 1. The president received recommendations from Mattis in February for dealing with transgender individuals serving in the military, leading to Friday's announcement. California's Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, said Friday the state would "continue to vigorously defend the rights of transgender individuals." House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California called it a "hateful ban" aimed at humiliating transgender members of the military.

Source: CBC News March 24, 2018 21:45 UTC