Spectrum Center Board President, Dennis Cowles weighs in on transgender ban

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - President Donald Trump recently stated he wants to ban all transgenders from the U.S. Military. And with little time wasted, leaders across the country have voiced their thoughts.

White House Deputy Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "Obviously it's a very difficult decision. It's not a simple one, but the president feels it's the best for the military."

New York Representative, Sean Patrick Maloney said, "Today, a president who never served is attacking thousands of heroes who do."

Dennis Cowles, Board President of the Spectrum Center disagrees with President Trump's ban, and does not understand why he wants this to happen.

"The American Medical Association has stated that there is no medical reason why transgender persons can't serve this country. It would add an estimated 1% to the medical costs borne by the Department of Defense for our men and women and others in uniform. We spend five times that on erectile dysfunction medication. So, there doesn't seem to be a sane reason why they would want to pursue this kind of policy," said Cowles.

According to Rand Corporation, there are up to 7,000 transgender individuals currently serving on active duty or in the reserves.

Cowles said "This is a national security issue. It makes no sense to take people out when we have so many critical fights around the world. Why would you take people out who are already highly-trained who are in position, who are willing and able and eager to do the job of defending this country?"

President Trump has to create a formal policy and get it passed in order for the ban to be official.

Cowles said he hopes President Trump's people talk him out of this idea, and encourages people of all backgrounds, races, and genders to try and be positive.