Donald Trump told a group of military
veterans on Monday that he's opposed to ending the ban on transgender
people serving openly in the military.
Trump's comments came in response to a
question from a veteran who, giving transgender service as an
example, asked the GOP candidate what he would do “about the social
engineering and political correctness that's been imposed” on the
military.
“We're going to get away from
political correctness,” Trump answered.
The Pentagon in July lifted its ban on
transgender troops, saying it does not “want barriers unrelated to
a person's qualifications to serve.” It will take up to a year to
implement new policies and train personnel, the Pentagon said.
Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic
rival, cheered the move, saying she was “proud” of the decision.
(Related: Hillary
Clinton applauds end of ban on transgender troops.)
At Monday's town-hall-style event in
Herndon, Virginia, Trump sat next to Tony Perkins, president of the
Christian conservative Family Research Council (FRC) and a vocal
opponent of LGBT rights.