Washington, D.C. — (RT) Transgender people will not be allowed to serve in the American military in any capacity, President Donald Trump said, adding that US forces shouldn’t be “burdened by” medical costs and “disruption” they would bring.

“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,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow…… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

….Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming….. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

….victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

The Pentagon declined to comment on the transgender ban, referring all questions on the issue to the White House.

“We refer all questions about the president’s statements to the White House. We will continue to work closely with the White House to address the new guidance by the commander-in-chief on transgender individuals serving the military. We will provide revised guidance to the department in the near future,” the Pentagon spokesman said.

Transgender people were allowed to serve in the US military last year under former President Barack Obama’s administration.

They were provided with medical care and the ability to begin formally changing their gender identity in the Pentagon’s personnel system from October 1, 2017.

According to a survey by Rand Corp, there were between 1,320 and 6,630 transgender troops on active duty in the US military in 2016.

Officials told AP that there are currently around 250 troops who have received formal approval to change their gender by the Pentagon, with their fate unclear after the announcement by Trump.

There’s been a debate on the effect transgender troops may have on the battle readiness of the US military.

The commanders are concerned they may have medical and other issues, hampering them in executing their service duties, adding that trangenders may also become targets of discrimination.

The military was initially given until June 1 to evaluate the possible effects of transgender soldiers, with the term then prolonged for another six months.

A Rand Corp survey said there’ll be “minimal impact on readiness and health care costs” due to a small number of transgender troops in the US military.