Trump announces ban on transgender troops in surprise tweets punctuated by 'thank you'

President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that the U.S. military will not allow transgender service members.

The Defense Department ordered a six-month delay of an Obama policy to allow transgender recruits, and current rules had allowed trans people to serve but not enlist.

Trump tweeted a change to that policy Wednesday morning, apparently catching even the Pentagon press office by surprise.

"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."