Transgender troops? Not under Trump

View this email in your browser Brought to you by USATODAY.com President Trump says no to transgender troops President Trump, after consulting his "generals and military experts," proclaimed that transgender people are no longer allowed to serve in the military, bucking an Obama-era policy that allowed transgender troops to serve openly. It's not clear how the president's directive, announced in a Wednesday morning tweet, will impact the 6,000 transgender troops already in the military, but the decision drew quick condemnation from progressives and others. Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said he supports transgender people and doesn't think "we should be discriminating against anyone." The president's declaration comes a day after retired admiral Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defended transgender troops and asked Congress not to dictate transgender policy to the Pentagon. Scalise discharged from hospital Amid the political scuffles over health care and transgender troops came a bright spot Wednesday. Rep. Steve Scalise's office announced that the Louisiana Republican was discharged from a hospital in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday and will begin "intensive inpatient rehabilitation." The news comes about six weeks after Scalise and four others were shot during a baseball practice for Republican lawmakers.  Flying with a laptop? Grab a bin. Thanks to new airport security measures, even domestic flyers with electronics larger than a cellphone will need to spend a few more minutes at TSA checkpoints. Laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles in carry-ons will need to be placed in separate bins for X-ray screenings. The new rules are just another way to make sure the bad guys aren't hiding explosives in electronics. In a Precheck lane? Ignore this, you get a free pass.  No "Rexit" No, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson isn't resigning, but he is "taking a little time off" after a "mega trip" in Europe and the Middle East, his office said. Rumors of a potential "Rexit" spread over the weekend after CNN reported he may leave the State Department by the end of the year. His office said he has no plans to resign. "He's entitled to take a few days himself," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told The Hill. Meet Coke Zero Sugar See-yah! Coca-Cola gave Coke Zero the boot Wednesday, in favor of a revamped version coined Coke Zero Sugar. The switch comes after foreign sales of the new recipe and brand showed encouraging signs. The drink is currently sold in more than 25 markets, and will hit U.S. shelves in August. For those worried about getting their hands on no-calorie Coke Zero before the change, there's plenty of time. After the new product hits the shelves, Coke Zero will be phased out.   What else is happening this week? Bookmark our calendar. Invite others to enjoy The Short List newsletter. Thank you for subscribing to the The Short List. Got some feedback, a tip or just want to say hello? Email us at newsletters@e.usatoday.com. USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Unsubscribe from the The Short List Why did I get this? Update my subscription preferences USA TODAY 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22102

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