Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sandoval says transgender National Guard troops will serve until further notice

CARSON CITY — Despite President Donald Trump’s announced ban on transgender service members, they will continue to serve in the Nevada National Guard unless directed otherwise by the Department of Defense, Gov. Brian Sandoval said today.

“I have directed the Nevada National Guard to make no modifications to the current policy, unless instructed to by the Secretary of Defense,” Sandoval said in a statement.

Sandoval’s statement came after Clark County Democratic state Sens. Patricia Spearman and David Parks called on the governor to issue an executive order banning any discrimination against transgender members of the National Guard.

“Yesterday, upon learning of the President Trump’s Twitter announcement that transgender individuals will no longer be allowed to serve in the United States military, I immediately requested information on what protections the state could put into place for those individuals serving in the Nevada National Guard,” Sandoval said.

He noted he has previously signed legislation requiring the state Department of Veterans Services to assist veterans who were discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identify.

“We will serve all of the members of our military as well as they serve us and give them the full respect they have earned,” Sandoval said.