Fact Check: Trump is now denying retirement pay for transgender service members after expelling them from military

Fact-Check: "Trump is now denying retirement pay for transgender service members after expelling them from military"

What We Know

The claim that "Trump is now denying retirement pay for transgender service members after expelling them from military" is rooted in recent decisions made by the U.S. Air Force regarding early retirement options for transgender personnel. According to a report by the Associated Press, the Air Force announced that it would deny early retirement options for transgender service members who have served between 15 and 18 years. This decision means that these individuals will be separated from service without retirement benefits, a significant change from previous policies that allowed for early retirement under certain conditions.

The policy change comes in the context of a broader ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, which was enacted during the Trump administration. The Supreme Court allowed the enforcement of this ban, which has resulted in the expulsion of transgender service members and has led to a significant emotional impact on those affected, as expressed by Master Sgt. Logan Ireland, who described feelings of "betrayal" and devastation upon learning of the denial of his retirement application (ABC News).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is substantial, as multiple reputable sources confirm the Air Force's decision to deny early retirement benefits to transgender service members (PBS, Newsweek, The Hill). The Air Force spokesperson indicated that while service members with 15 to 18 years of honorable service were allowed to apply for exceptions, none were approved. This indicates a systematic denial of retirement benefits specifically targeting transgender service members, aligning with the broader policy changes initiated by the Trump administration.

However, it is important to note that the decision to deny retirement pay is not solely a direct action taken by Trump himself but rather a continuation of policies established during his presidency. The Air Force's recent actions can be seen as an implementation of the ban rather than a new policy directly initiated by Trump.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this issue is high, with major news organizations like the Associated Press, ABC News, and PBS providing detailed accounts of the situation. These outlets have a track record of journalistic integrity and are considered credible in reporting on military and LGBTQ+ issues.

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump is now denying retirement pay for transgender service members after expelling them from military" is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the recent denial of retirement benefits to transgender service members by the Air Force, it oversimplifies the situation by implying that this is a new action taken by Trump rather than a continuation of policies established during his administration. The decision reflects systemic issues within military policy regarding transgender individuals, which have been exacerbated by the Trump administration's stance on LGBTQ+ service members.