What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Donald Trump has declared transgender people are not welcome to serve in any capacity in the US military.

It's not known whether President Trump's decision will affect the estimated 15,000 transgender people already serving openly in the US military.

The announcement was met with widespread confusion and condemnation, with critics branding it "cruel", "petty" and an attack on servicemen and women who risk their lives to protect the United States.

Defense secretary Jim Mattis last month gave the military a six month extension on their review into whether allowing trans people to register would affect force readiness.

The military had asked for a two-year delay in the process, but this was denied.

General Mattis is currently on vacation.

Transgender people are welcome to serve in the British armed forces and are subject to the same mental and physical entry standard as any other candidate.

Announcing his decision on Twitter, President Trump said: "After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

"Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you"

And just last month, Trump's daughter Ivanka tweeted that she was "proud" to support LGBTQ Americans who had "made immense contributions to our society and economy."

Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives voted down a bill that would have prevented the military from paying for gender reassignment surgery.

The Department of Defense's current rules allow trans people to serve openly, and prohibit their being discharged solely for being transgender.

The most recent update outlines plans to commence "training for the entire force, and ultimately, beginning to admit transgender recruits" within 12 months from June 2016.

(Image: REUTERS)

Last month, a six month extension to that plan was approved by Secretary of Defence General Jim Mattis.

In June 2016, when the timeline was announced, Trump tweeted to "thank" the LGBT community, and vowed: "I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs."

The announcement was met with widespread condemnation from congressmen and celebrities.

California representative Mark Takano, a member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said: "The president just went on Twitter to attack 15,000 trans service members who are risking their lives to protect our freedom. How brave."

Star Trek actor George Takei, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ equality, said: "History shall record that you are not only the stupidest, most incompetent president ever, but also the cruelest and pettiest. "

A Pentagon spokesperson referred all questions on the announcement to the White House.

They added: “We will continue to work closely with the White house to address the new guidance provided by the Commander In Chief on transgender individuals serving the military. We will provide revised guidance to the Department in the near future.”