AUGUSTA, Maine – After Donald Trump announced that transgender Americans would be banned from serving in the military, Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett released the following statement:

“In the middle of American Heroes week, Donald Trump is trying to ban transgender people from serving in our military. I’ve got news for him: transgender service members are American heroes. They deserve our respect and gratitude.

“Transgender service members put their lives on the line every day. Donald Trump has never shown that kind of bravery. Democrats stand with and support the transgender community, and we will fight this administration’s bigotry.”