Retired General Lloyd Austin, appointed by US President-elect Joe Biden to head the Department of Defense, said Tuesday that he would reverse the Donald Trump administration’s decision to ban transgender people from serving in the military.
“I truly believe, Senator, that as I said in my opening remarks, that if you are fit and qualified to serve and can meet the standards, you should be allowed to serve (in the military),” Austin said. in response to a question. Asked by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during the confirmation hearing.
“And you can expect me to support that at any time,” said Austin, who testified before the House Armed Services Committee.
In this way, Austin, who, if confirmed, will become the first African-American Secretary of Defense, spoke about the measure announced by Trump in July 2017, when he reported his intention to ban all transgender people from serving in the military. .
On Monday, the Defense portfolio unveiled a regulation stating that people with a “history of gender dysphoria” were disqualified from military service, except in limited circumstances, but did not recommend expelling members of the armed forces who had already submitted. to a sex change operation.
During the session, Austin spoke about the role of US troops in the world and said that they should focus their efforts on Asia, where he considered China to be “the most significant challenge” and described Iran as “a destabilizing force.” .
As for Afghanistan, he said he would like to see how this conflict ends with a negotiated agreement: “I think we will make every effort to ensure that this happens,” he said.
“I think this conflict needs to end. You know, we need to see that an agreement has been reached, and as the president-elect wants to see, I think we want to see an Afghanistan in the future that is not a threat to the United States. “, stressed the.
On the eve of his departure from the White House, Trump recalled in a filmed speech Tuesday that he is “the first president in decades who has not started new wars.”
During his tenure, Trump’s defense policy was marked by a withdrawal of troops from areas of operation such as Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.
“I am particularly proud to be the first president in decades to start new wars,” he said in his filmed speech.