The Dunford statement suggests that Mattis was given no presidential direction on changing the transgender policy. Mattis has been on vacation this week and has been publicly silent amid questions about Trump's announced ban. Together, the Dunford and Goldfein notes illustrate that military leaders do not equate Trump's tweets with legal orders. Transgender service members have been able to serve openly since 2016, when Carter ended the ban. She said it was his judgement that allowing transgender service "erodes military readiness and unit cohesion."

Source: Bangkok Post July 27, 2017 18:11 UTC