Those in favor of keeping transgender military personnel argue reinstating the ban is discriminatory and that anyone who can meet the qualifications to serve should be allowed to. They fear removing already serving troops could disrupt military readiness. Supporters also point out kicking out transgender personnel is a waste of tax payer money due to the millions that were spent training these individuals. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) said, “Anyone who is willing to put on the uniform of the United States and risk their life in service to our country should be celebrated as patriots, regardless of their gender identity. This short-sighted and discriminatory policy will make America less safe.”

Those against keeping transgender military personnel argue the military has become a social experiment over the years. Opponents feel the Obama administration authorized the federal government to fund sex-reassignment surgeries when they dismantled the original ban. A 2016 Rand Corp. study commissioned by the Defense Department estimated new hormone treatments and gender transition related surgeries among newly active service members could cost from $2.4 million and $8.4 million a year. Many argue just as the government should not fund abortions it also should not fund sexual reassignment surgery. They feel allowing transgender personnel in the military erodes unit cohesiveness which is needed to conduct missions laid out before the military on a daily basis.