'Sick and pathetic': Analysts outraged by Republicans' latest attack on trans people

The latest attack against the transgender community by Republicans in Kansas incited outrage among analysts on Wednesday night.

The Kansas Division of Vehicles sent letters to transgender people on Wednesday, saying that their driver's licenses would be considered invalid as of Thursday because of a new state law, Erin In The Morning reported. That law also said transgender people caught driving with an invalid license can be charged with a class B misdemeanor, carrying up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

"The letter ... states that under House Substitute for Senate Bill 244, Kansas-issued driver's licenses and identification cards must now reflect the credential holder's 'sex at birth,'" according to the report.

Political analysts and observers were outraged by the report. They shared their reactions on social media.

"These people are really sick and pathetic," Dean Baker, economist at the Center for Economic Research, posted on Bluesky. "They must be worried about the size of their penis. How else can someone be so worried about trans people?"

"This is bigotry, pure and simple," Bill Kristol, editor-at-large for The Bulwark, posted on Bluesky.

"It also strikes me as a direct violation of the Civil Rights Act as interpreted by the Bostock decision," historian Brad Proctor posted on Bluseky.

"Kansas wants to pay millions in damages?" retired lawyer Rex Smith posted on Bluesky.

Read the entire report by clicking here.