ABC News' Martha Raddatz spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on This Week, asking him about his views regarding the ongoing ban on transgender military service, despite the repeal of the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that banned open service of gay and lesbian members.
“I do think it continually should be reviewed,” Hagel said. “I’m open to that.”
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Earlier this month, a Pentagon spokesperson told Slate, “At this time there are no plans to change the department’s policy.”
But in an exclusive interview that aired on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” Hagel said he’s now ready to reconsider the ban.
“I’m open to those assessments, because — again, I go back to the bottom line — every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity if they fit the qualifications and can do it,” he said. Transgender issues are “an area that we’ve not defined enough.”
See the full interview from ABC News.