Sep 15, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Active transgender troops' status will change in February

"Equality flags" are flown during an event in support of transgender members of the military at the Capitol. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / AP

Transgender troops currently serving in the military won't face any changes to their status until at least February when the Pentagon must decide the parameters of President Trump's ban, according to The Daily Beast.

  • Enlisted transgender troops can continue to receive medical care as prescribed and will be able to re-enlist as normal should their service terms expire before February.
  • Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis will decide how to implement recommendations regarding the transgender troop ban from a military panel by February 21, 2018 — all while a legal challenge to the ban by the ACLU winds its way through federal court.

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Axios
Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 7 p.m. ET: 19,486,171 — Total deaths: 723,599 — Total recoveries — 11,822,887 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 7 p.m. ET: 4,989,976 — Total deaths: 162,304 — Total recoveries: 1,643,118 — Total tests: 61,080,587 — Map.
  3. Politics: Trump signs 4 executive actions on coronavirus aid.
  4. Public health: Fauci says chances are "not great" that COVID-19 vaccine will be 98% effective — 1 in 3 Americans would decline COVID-19 vaccine.
  5. Science: Indoor air is the next coronavirus frontline.
  6. Schools: How back-to-school is playing out in the South as coronavirus rages on — Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Howard to hold fall classes online.
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Jacob Knutson
4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump signs 4 executive actions on coronavirus aid

President Trump speaking during a press conference on Aug. 8. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump on Saturday signed four executive actions to provide relief from economic damage sustained during the coronavirus pandemic after talks between the White House and Democratic leadership collapsed Friday afternoon.

Why it matters: Because the Constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate federal spending, Trump has limited authority to act unilaterally — and risks a legal challenge if congressional Democrats believe he has overstepped.

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Rashaan Ayesh
7 hours ago - World

What's next for Lebanon after the Beirut explosion

Photo: Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Beirut residents are still clearing rubble from streets that appear war-torn, days after a blast that shocked the country and horrified the world.

Why it matters: The explosion is likely to accelerate a painful cycle Lebanon was already living through — discontent, economic distress, and emigration.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow