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Joe Biden to lift transgender ban in military, Internet says he did 'more in 4 days than Trump in 4 years'

Former President Donald Trump had argued that having transgender soldiers was expensive and would lead to "tremendous medical costs and disruption"

Joe Biden's administration has hit the ground up and running. Reports say the new president is all set to repeal former President Donald Trump's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.

According to a CNN report, this move could be made as early as Monday. In 2017, Trump's ban on the issue in 2017 sparked massive outrage among LGBTQ activists as they termed the decision as irrational. The ban "specifically blocks individuals who have been diagnosed with a condition known as gender dysphoria from serving with limited exceptions."

In addition, it also says individuals without the condition can serve only if they do so according to the sex assigned at the time of birth. While the report said the White House declined to comment, the WH press secretary Jen Psaki ha said the administration would lift the ban through executive action in Biden's early days of presidency. This development also saw netizens share their two cents on Twitter with most welcoming the decision.

For starters, it was all about lauding Biden for the changes he's ringing in. "President Biden (oh gosh I just love to say that) is doing more for the country in 4 days than Trump in 4 years," read one of the tweets as news of repealing the ban broke. This was seconded by another who wrote: "That's great! I hated that move by Trump! It was awful!"

One of them also hoped there would be more changes. "Excellent, glad to see Joe is making things right for transgender Americans who wish to serve the country. @POTUS also needs to repeal this equally ridiculous order, about banning Covid-19 survivors from military duty." 

For some, it was more progressive. "More progress for the #LGBTQ community, especially after the last 4 reckless years of being trampled on by Voldemort... White House expected to lift transgender ban in military as early as Monday," read a comment.

"FINALLY, albeit slowly, America will return to, & surpass, her proper place in the, & in democracy #YesWeWill #TogetherWeCan #WeWillNotSitIdlyBy #SpreadTheFaithKeepTheFaith #Biden to #reverse #Trump administration's #transgendermilitaryban https://youtu.be/wgpSjeimgV8@YouTube," was one of the tweets.

According to NBC Los Angeles, Biden's move to reverse the policy found favor in the eyes of his newly confirmed defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who spoke to the site about the need to overturn it during his Senate confirmation hearing, said, "I support the president’s plan or plan to overturn the ban. If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve," he said.

Trump had argued that having transgender soldiers was expensive and would lead to "tremendous medical costs and disruption". The decision had actually reversed a policy that was approved by the Defense Department during former President Barack Obama's tenure. It would allow transgender individuals to openly serve in the military.

For years, Trump's administration garnered flak as it also reversed established LGBTQ protections. Adding to the fury was its attempt to roll back on a regulation that would prohibit discrimination in health care against transgender patients.