President Donald Trump’s declaration Wednesday that transgender Americans won’t be allowed in the military drew immediate criticism from a Maine Democrat.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, whose 1st District includes Portland, said in a prepared statement on Twitter that the president’s decision is “bigoted and wrong.”

“Our all-volunteer military should not turn away Americans willing to risk their lives for our safety,” she said, especially when “we face new threats around globe.”

The president issued a series of tweets early Wednesday in which he said the government “will not accept or allow transgender individuals to  serve in any capacity in the U.S. military.”

Trump said the armed forces “must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

He did not say what would happen to members of the military who identify as trans. Estimates of their numbers range from 2,000 to 15,000.

Former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter opened the door to trans service a year ago.

“Our mission is to defend this country, and we don’t want barriers unrelated to a person’s qualification to serve preventing us from recruiting or retaining the Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine who can best accomplish the mission,” he said at the time.

“Otherwise qualified service members can no longer be involuntarily separated, discharged, or denied reenlistment or continuation of service just for being transgender,” he said.

Pingree said, “We are grateful to all Americans willing to serve our nation in harm’s way!”

This story will be updated.

scollins@sunjournal.com

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