Chelsea Manning, who was pardoned by Barack Obama in January, is responding to Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people in the United States military. “So, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? Sounds like cowardice #WeGotThis,” she tweeted Wednesday morning.
Also Read: Trump Bans Transgender People From US Military 'In Any Capacity'
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people ???? but funds the F-35? ???? sounds like cowardice ???????????? #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Since her initial tweet on the matter, she has been responding to replies. “Militaries, esp. U.S., have always been a social experiment just as much as a fighting force its how it got so bloated #WeGotThis,” she said in an additional tweet. While some thanked Manning for her inspiration and courage, others were less than kind. “Go find a hole, crawl deep inside it, stay there,” one said, to which Manning responded “never,” along with the grinning and double heart emojis.
Also Read: Twitter Reacts to Trump's Transgender Military Ban: 'Don't Take Us Backwards'
militaries, esp. U.S., have always been a social experiment just as much as a fighting force ???? its how it got so bloated ???? #WeGotThis ???????????? https://t.co/HtNa54AeSP
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
remember, its love and inspiration that gives us our courage ???????????? https://t.co/4YW3QV9d8p
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
im not "giving" you hope ☺️ you already have it ???????? https://t.co/TDruIASn8q
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Also Read: That Time Trump Vowed to Be Better on LGBT Rights Than Hillary Clinton (1 Year Ago)
so not only do you want to ban trans people, now you want to throw us in prison ?? sounds familiar ???? https://t.co/11s6C7VUS8
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
#WeGotThis ???????????? https://t.co/gAeUG2WxUF
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
never ???????? https://t.co/keIZ2DhyOi
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Trump announced the ban on Twitter Wednesday morning, citing medical expenses as a driving force for the decision. As CNN pointed out, a 2016 Rand Corp. study found that transgender people serving in the military would have a “minimal impact” on health care costs.
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
….Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
….victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
Barack Obama commuted Manning’s 35-year sentence in January for her 2010 conviction for a leak about U.S. military and diplomatic activities. Hers was the longest sentence ever imposed in the U.S. for a leak conviction. A transgender woman, Manning was forced to serve her time in a men’s prison.