Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) broke with Donald Trump in an interview on Face the Nation and said she believes transgender people should serve in the U.S. military.
RELATED: Trump Issues Late Night Policy Memo Banning Most Transgender Servicemembers
Said Ernst: “I support allowing those transgenders that can serve I believe they should serve. We do want to make sure that they meet physical requirements. We can't waive that. That is true across any demographic within our military. Making sure that they are physically fit and they meet the mental standard. But I've asked transgenders myself, if you were willing to lay down your life beside mine I would welcome you into our military. Again, there are standards that have to be met and I will support the president and the administration on making sure that standards are met. But if there are transgenders that meet those qualifications certainly I would gladly have them serve in our United States military.”
Asked if she would ask the White House to change its position, Ernst replied: “I think the White House has done a very studied analysis of how we have the best qualified people coming into the military. And so I'm happy to have those discussions with the administration but again making sure that those standards are applied fairly across the spectrum of every citizen that wants to join our United States military.”
Watch:
