The Commandant of the Coast Guard has spoken out in defense of transgender service members in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would not allow transgender people to serve.
Admiral Paul Zukunft was asked about the controversy during a talk that he gave on the future of the Coast Guard at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. earlier this week.
He said 13 members of the Coast Guard have publicly identified themselves as transgender.
After Trump tweeted last week saying he intended to change military policy on the issue, Zukunft’s office reached out to all 13. The admiral said he personally called Lt. Taylor Miller, whose story was featured in the press.
Miller’s parents have disowned her.
“Her family is the United States Coast Guard,” said Zukunft. “And I told Taylor, I will not turn my back. We have made an investment in you, and you have made an investment in the Coast Guard, and I will not break faith.”
Zukunft said that same promise was extended to other transgender people serving.
“And that is the commitment to our people right now -- very small numbers, but all of them are doing meaningful Coast Guard work today,” he said.
Zukunft said he’s also put together a legal team to study the issue in consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
A Pentagon spokesman reiterated this week that the Defense Department hasn’t received any guidance beyond the president’s tweets, and is still awaiting a formal order.
New London hosts the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where all Coast Guard officers are trained.
