Dr. Christine McGinn was senior flight surgeon at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, north of Philadelphia. Once upon a time she was flight surgeon for two NASA space shuttle missions.

She was interviewed by Michael Smerconish on CNN.

McGinn transitioned beginning in 2000. She now operates the Papillon Center in New Hope, PA, which offers comprehensive gender reassignment services.

McGinn responded to Trump's reasoning behind his ban, in which he said that allowing active service members to receive transgender surgery resulted in "tremendous medical costs" and "disruption."

I think it's being twisted and spun to make it seem like it would be more than it is. I think the cost of getting rid of very well specialized, trained military service people is exponentially larger than just taking care of them.

--McGinn

McGinn added that there was a lot of "misconception" about the downtime required for those transitioning.

Some people opt to have no surgeries, but in general, most of my patients are back to work in six weeks, sometimes two weeks. I think that this is getting inflated to make it a little more political.

--McGinn

Trump's decision was not really about money.

I think that this sounds a lot like when we had people of color who wanted to serve, women, or gays and lesbians who wanted to serve.

I think any fifth-grader could see that.

--McGinn

After all, they call us the "forces of darkness."

Grant repentance to President Trump and Secretary Mattis for even considering to keep this wicked policy in place. Grant them understanding, courage and willpower to stand up to the forces of darkness that gave birth to it and wholly to repeal it.

--Tony Perkins, FRC

McGinn announced she will do surgery for free for the service members who she has contracted with who are currently in the military if the military won't pay for them.