Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has released a statement in regards to President Trump's announcement that he is barring transgender people from serving in the military.
"Yesterday, upon learning of the President’s Twitter announcement that transgender individuals will no longer be allowed to serve in the United States military, I immediately requested information on what protections the State could put into place for those individuals serving in the Nevada National Guard. Under advisement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I have directed the Nevada National Guard to make no modifications to the current policy, unless instructed to by the Secretary of Defense. Nevada has a long history of treating our military and veteran community with the dignity and honor they deserve. In the past I’ve signed into law protections for these vulnerable communities, including Senate Bill 148 which requires the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to provide resources for LGBT veterans that were dishonorably discharged because of sexual orientation or gender identity.
"As Commander in Chief of the Nevada National Guard, I support Guardsman Hunt and am thankful for his longstanding service to our state and country. We will serve all of the members of our military as well as they serve us and give them the full respect they have earned. They deserve nothing less.” --- Governor Brian Sandoval."
Sgt. Sam Hunt, an electrician in the Nevada Army National Guard's G Company, 2/238th General Support Aviation Battalion, released the following statement on Wednesday after President Trump's announcement:
"People referred to me as a man before my military career and throughout much of my early service before the transgender ban was lifted. When President Obama removed the ban last year, I felt I could openly serve as a man. I was officially informed earlier this month that the Department of Defense approved my transition from female to male. But as a non-commissioned officer, I completely understand orders come from above. As of today, my supervisors and commanders have not informed me of any changes to my status as a male soldier in the Nevada Army National Guard. Until told otherwise, I will continue serving this nation and state, as I have since 2009."
At this time, Sgt. Hunt has expressed interest for privacy and time to assess potential Department of Defense policy changes before making further comment.
On Thursday, the nation's top military officer said U.S. policy on transgender individuals serving in uniform has not - and will not - change until Defense Secretary Jim Mattis receives the president's policy direction and Mattis determines how to implement it.
Gen. Joseph Dunford is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford made the statement in a note Thursday to all service chiefs, commanders and enlisted military leaders.
Dunford says that for now, "we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect."
Nevada Senator Dean Heller (R) says he disagrees with the idea of the ban.
"My position has always been if you can meet the criteria of what our military expects of you and I know those criterias are pretty high, and if you can get through basic training and you can do what's expected of you, I don't have a problem of anybody serving in our military, male or female, regardless of their lifestyle."
Earlier President Trump tweeted that he is barring transgender people from serving in the military "in any capacity." He'd cited "tremendous medical costs and disruption."
Trump's announcement Wednesday morning on Twitter did not say what would happen to transgender people already in the military.
The president tweeted that after consulting with "Generals and military experts," the government "will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
