A rally was held on Capitol Hill Wednesday in support of transgender troops after President Donald Trump said he wants transgender people barred from serving in the military.

WASHINGTON — His agenda stalled and his party divided, President Donald Trump veered into the nation’s simmering culture wars by announcing plans to ban transgender people from serving in the military.

Much of the political world — prominent conservatives and Trump administration officials, among them — was surprised and confused by the president’s sudden social media pronouncement. But on the ground in North Carolina, Tami Fitzgerald was elated.

“It was pretty high up on our wish list,” said Fitzgerald, executive director for North Carolina Values Coalition, which has fought for that state’s so-called “bathroom bill.” Fitzgerald said she found it “ridiculous” that the American taxpayers were being forced to pay for treatment and surgery that violates the conscience of most of the American public.”

Trump’s abrupt announcement amounted to a direct political lifeline to his most passionate supporters. In his chaotic first six months in office, Trump has lost sizable support from independents and some Republican voters. But polls show white evangelicals remaining loyal — and essential to stabilizing his political standing.

“Pray for him as he faces critics and opposition,” evangelical leader Franklin Graham wrote of the president Wednesday on Facebook, describing the transgender ban as “a bold move.”

Trump tweeted earlier in the day his plan to block transgender people from serving in the U.S. military “in any capacity,” citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption.” The White House did not say what would happen to those thousands of transgender troops already serving. The announcement signals a reversal from President Barack Obama’s decision to open the armed services to transgender people, a policy that also required the Pentagon to pay for gender transition surgeries and hormone therapy.

The issue was barely on the radar for some national conservative leaders, who said privately they were far more concerned with de-funding Planned Parenthood, protecting religious freedom, and amending the tax code to allow nonprofit religious organizations to engage in politics.

But for Christian conservatives who make up much of Trump’s base, Wednesday’s announcement served as a powerful reminder that he remains committed to their values. For emphasis perhaps, Trump followed his morning tweet with an afternoon message in all capital letters: “IN AMERICA WE DON’T WORSHIP GOVERNMENT - WE WORSHIP GOD!”

In Iowa, outspoken social conservative Steve Scheffler praised Trump’s decision and lamented the evolution of the LGBT movement.

“Ten years ago, we wouldn’t have even been talking about these issues where people can’t figure out what gender they are,” said Scheffler, a Republican national committeeman.

In city halls, debates rage over LGBT rights, particularly as transgender people seek access to bathrooms that match their gender identities.