RI AG Peter Neronha Joins 20 AGs Across U.S. In Supporting Transgender People In Military

RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha on Friday joined 20 state attorney general in support of a lawsuit attempting to block the implementation of President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military.

The amicus brief supports a request for a preliminary injunction filed by a group of current and prospective transgender service members.

The brief argues that the executive order is unconstitutional, harms national security, and discriminates against transgender people honorably serving in the U.S. military, including the National Guard in every state.

Neronha said the plaintiffs filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The court set the date for a hearing on Tuesday.

"Our military members deserve our utmost respect and honor, and instead, this administration has chosen to disrespect and villainize transgender service members for no other reason beyond their identity," Neronha said. "This is yet another distraction from the real problems Americans are facing, for which this president has no solutions. This distraction in particular comes at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of transgender Americans serving their country with honor and distinction. It’s completely unnecessary, it’s completely un-American, and it must stop."

According to the coalition, Trump’s executive order violates the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The coalition also argued it would weaken the military, harm state emergency and disaster preparedness, deprive the military of experienced and qualified soldiers during a challenging time for recruitment, and engage in discrimination in violation of state laws protecting transgender people's rights to participate fully in society.

Joining Neronha in filing the amicus brief were the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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