Chelsea Manning, a former intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army, on Wednesday pushed back on President Donald Trump’s announced plan to ban transgender people from serving in the military.
“So, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35?” Manning asked in a characteristically emoji-filled tweet. “Sounds like cowardice.”
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people ? but funds the F-35? ? sounds like cowardice ??? #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
The F-35 Lightning II Program, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter Program, develops high-tech fighter jets. Plagued with engineering problems and about seven years behind schedule, the program has been blasted as a trillion-dollar mistake, according to Bloomberg.
Manning responded to a tweet from conservative commentator Tomi Lahren that said “The military is not about the wants of the individual, it’s about the mission” by asking, “What mission is that? Wasting money on dysfunctional equipment and greedy contractors?”
what mission is that? ? wasting money on dysfunctional equipment and greedy contractors? ? we (you) will pay for #healthcare ??? #WeGotThis https://t.co/hYoxLh1lc6
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
In 2010, Manning came out as a trans woman the day after she was sentenced to 35 years in prison for sending thousands of classified records to Wikileaks. She reportedly faced humiliating abuse from the prison workers over her gender identity and attempted to commit suicide several times.
The Army granted Manning gender-affirming surgery in 2016 after her five-day hunger strike.
After a commutation from President Barack Obama, Manning was released from prison in June after serving seven years of her sentence.
Ooooh, now I’m waiting for Trump’s tweet storm in response to this. So much covfefe to come.
What, first Lindsey and now Chelsea?
Trump is going to set Twitter on fire.
I bet Manning sees the difference between Trump’s impulsive behavior and Obama’s reasonable behavior, now.
Don’t give a shit what Manning has to say.
But do back Kristin Beck’s views and calling out of Trump on the matter.
Doubt it.