Governor Chris Sununu says he disagrees with President Donald Trump’s decision to ban transgender people from serving in the armed forces. In an interview Thursday afternoon, Sununu said anyone who is physically and mentally fit should be able to serve in the U.S. military.
“I can’t say I approve of the tweet that came out," Sununu said. "It’s not really official -- I don’t know where that stands. I’m not going to make judgment calls other than to say, again, you know, I think that anyone who is willing to stand up and fight for this country should have the ability to do so.”
Trump tweeted Wednesday that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in any capacity in the armed forces, citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption.”
Sununu was also asked about a recent opinion issued by the U.S. Department of Justice stating that a major federal civil rights law does not protect employees against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Sununu cited New Hampshire laws that do offer protections based on sexual orientation and said the state will continue to work to eliminate “even the potential of discrimination in any way.”