Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
Newly-appointed Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump's decision to bar transgender people from serving in the U.S. military was "based on a military decision. It's not meant to be anything more than that." She also claimed that the Obama-era policy enabling the Pentagon to fund gender transition surgery is "a very expensive and disruptive policy."
When asked what will happen to transgender members of the military currently serving overseas, Sanders couldn't answer, but stated that the DoD and WH will have to work together "as implementation takes place and is done so lawfully."
Live updates:
- On Sessions criticism: "You can be disappointed in someone and still want them to continue to do their job."
- Why doesn't Trump fire acting FBI Director McCabe himself rather than asking Sessions to do it? The president is looking forward to having Christopher Wray come in and replace him.
- Education donation: President Trump is donating his second quarter salary, $100k, to the Department of Education.
- On being a mom: "To the best of my knowledge, I am the first press secretary who is also a mom... that says less about me than it does this president."
- Letters to the President: Sanders said she plans to start some briefings by reading a letter or email that is sent to the WH. Today she read one from a 9-year-old.