At the 2016 Republican National Convention in July, President Trump vowed that he, as president, would do everything in his power to protect LGBTQ+ citizens. About a year later, Trump unilaterally tweeted all transgender people could no longer serve in the military.

Trump’s transgender ban was an attempt to attack and intimidate the LGBTQ+ community and other minorities. It also served as a failed attempt to distract the public from financier Bill Browder’s testimony on Russia, and the ongoing FBI investigation about Trump-Russia campaign ties.

Trump first lied about discussing the ban with others, claiming he had consulted U.S. military generals and experts to lead to his conclusion. Trump may be held in check by Congress, but his repeated pattern of unilateral decision-making shows he would much rather be in full control.

President Trump justified his decision by tweeting that the ban would eliminate the “tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgenders in the military would entail.” However, according to The Guardian, transgender costs amount to $8.7 million, one-fifth of what the military spends on Viagra for members.

The ban was met with serious backlash from targets of the ban, officials and citizens. According to the Washington Post, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stood their ground and promised to keep the military open to everyone. Five military transgender members are starting a lawsuit against Trump to keep transgender members in the military.  Parents of transgender members are writing, as well as protesting and marching for LGBTQ+ rights.

Trump also was met with swift opposition from his own party; Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke out against Trump’s policies being published through Twitter and said transgender people should be able to serve for their own country.

If the ban is put into place, transgender youth will have to look at a different career, but Trump probably won’t stop there. His Vice President, Attorney General, and many other members of his cabinet have shown their ideology consists largely of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.

This means that transgender students have limited options for career and well-being in the future due to the government; a defining aspect of discrimination. Transgender students need to speak out against the hate, because if they stay silent the government will try to take more and more rights away from them until they’re unable to participate in society.

Trump could also attempt to ban all LGBTQ+ members from service, or keep attacking transgender people by cutting state funds, services or even banning them from serving government jobs. This presidency holds danger for not only transgender people, but all LGBTQ+ people across America. For LGBTQ+ youth and anyone who feels in danger, a viable option would be to protest to state representatives and try to gain state protections.

Not only was his attack a failed distraction from serious issues, but it was also an attempt to grab power over his officials and secretaries. Trump’s transgender ban shows his autocratic leadership style and his inability to handle his own party or country.

Despite the backlash Trump has taken for his ban, it still proves that he is willing to threaten or take away minority rights for any reason. The message it sends to transgender people is the government hates them, and it certainly doesn’t want them serving for, or even being in the country.