Utah's Governor declines to take stance on Trump’s ban

Utah Governor Spencer Cox did not express an opinion on President Trump's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military during a news conference on Thursday. This comes after the Utah National Guard sent an email encouraging transgender members to leave the force. Cox acknowledged the small number of transgender service members in Utah and stated that the state cares for all its residents. He mentioned plans to assist transgender guard members in transitioning to new jobs if the federal court supports Trump's ban, which was temporarily blocked by a judge earlier this week. When asked if he supported Trump's order, Cox declined to answer directly and moved on to other questions. This differs from the stance of former Governor Gary Herbert, who openly criticized a similar directive from Trump back in 2017. The recent email from Brig. Gen. Shawn Fuellenbach outlined a separation process for members diagnosed with gender dysphoria, including voluntary and involuntary discharges. Critics, including U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, have condemned the ban as unjust, pointing out the sacrifices made by transgender service members. The ban on transgender military service was lifted in 2016, allowing personnel to access necessary care and update their gender identities. President Biden quickly overturned Trump's earlier ban after taking office. There remain few known transgender members in the Utah National Guard, but previous tests have indicated that their presence has not disrupted military operations.