Today, I am righting an historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves. Our Nation’s service members stand on the frontlines of freedom, and risk their lives in order to defend our country. Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Some of these patriotic Americans were subject to court-martial, and have carried the burden of this great injustice for decades.
As Commander in Chief, I am committed to maintaining the finest fighting force in the world. That means making sure that every member of our military is safe and respected – so they can focus on their mission.
This is about dignity, decency, and ensuring the culture of our Armed Forces reflect the values that make us an exceptional nation. We have a sacred obligation to all of our service members – including our brave LGBTQI+ service members: to properly prepare and equip them when they are sent into harm’s way, and to care for them and their families when they return home. Today we are making progress in that pursuit.
Washington DC June 26 2024
Critique of the Statement:
- Tone and Language:
- The phrase “righting an historic wrong” uses the less common “an historic” rather than “a historic,” which may sound awkward to some readers. Simplifying it to “correcting a historic wrong” could improve clarity.
- The overall tone is formal and respectful, appropriate for a presidential announcement. However, some phrases like “carried the burden of this great injustice” might be perceived as overly dramatic.
- Clarity and Precision:
- The statement uses broad terms like “many former service members” and “thousands of LGBTQI+ service members.” Including specific numbers or percentages would provide a clearer picture of the scope of the issue.
- The sentence structure is generally clear, but the phrase “court-martial, and have carried the burden of this great injustice for decades” could be streamlined for better readability.
- Substance and Depth:
- The statement effectively highlights the historical injustices faced by LGBTQI+ service members. However, it lacks specific historical context, such as mentioning the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which would provide a more detailed background.
- While it mentions the commitment to maintaining the finest fighting force, it would be more impactful if it included details about current or upcoming policies and initiatives to support LGBTQI+ service members.
- Emotional Appeal:
- The statement makes a strong emotional appeal by focusing on dignity, decency, and respect. However, it could be even more compelling with a personal anecdote or testimonial from an affected service member to humanize the issue.
- Future Actions and Accountability:
- The statement acknowledges past wrongs and mentions progress, but it could be more forward-looking by outlining specific steps or policies to prevent future injustices and support LGBTQI+ service members.
- Including a mention of measures for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these initiatives would demonstrate a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.
Sources: Midtown Tribune news, NYC.gov, AI