The backlash continues against President Donald Trump after his announcement banning Transgender Americans from serving in the military.

Just about all of south Florida congressional delegation, including Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Democratic Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, and now Alcee Hastings, have all come out condemning he presidents decision to call for the ban.

Hastings’ Facebook post went a little further than his Democratic colleagues, calling the president’s decision “shortsighted and cruel” and question his knowledge about “service” to the country.

“President Trump’s announcement that he will ban transgender troops from serving openly in our military is shortsighted and cruel. It will leave our country more vulnerable to the threats we face in the months and years to come.

As many as 11,000 transgender service members currently serve honorably in our armed forces. Arbitrarily discharging them solely because of their gender identity is hateful and unpatriotic.

President Harry Truman abolished the Armed Forces’ policy of racial segregation 69 years ago today. President Truman knew then what our current President is incapable of understanding today: the strength of our military is not found in labels like race, religion, creed, sex, or gender identity, but rather in the bravery and honor exhibited by those that choose to serve our nation.”-Rep. Alcee Hastings

Donald J. Trump: You don’t know the first things about service. Shame on you!

In my opinion, Americans who support the ban, may be doing so because they fear that Transgender individuals will join the military just to have taxpayer dollars fund their sex reassignment surgery.

If anyone, regardless of their sex, race, or ethnicity, is willing to give up his or her life for this country then they should be allowed to serve in the US Military.

A sex change operation is an elective surgery that should be paid for by the individual, and not by the American public.