WASHINGTON – In an executive order issued Tuesday, President Donald Trump urged the federal government not to assist with gender transitions for anyone under the age of 19, taking a step toward fulfilling a campaign promise to “stop” gender-affirming care for children.
Trump has used administrative action to take back transgender rights since taking office last week. The federal government was prohibited from funding or assisting minors in obtaining puberty blockers, sex hormones, or surgical treatments following a decision made on Tuesday.
The order applies to government employee health care plans as well as those run through Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE, the military and their families’ healthcare program.
“It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures,” tweeted Donald Trump.
Trump directed the government to withdraw the Biden administration’s guidance on gender-affirming care and to provide a 90-day study of best practices for improving the health of transgender youngsters.
He stated that only health plans meeting the new specifications should be available to federal employees in 2026, and he directed his administration to collaborate with Congress to pass legislation allowing children and their parents to take legal action if they have received gender-affirming care.
Trump also directed the Department of Justice to expedite investigations and take action against states that assist in stripping custody from parents who attempt to block their child’s transgender care.
The Biden administration entered a Supreme Court dispute last year addressing restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. The Department of Justice’s lawyers were part of a team that challenged Tennessee’s ban during oral arguments in December. The court has not yet issued a verdict in the lawsuit, which the Trump administration could withdraw from.
Trump’s decision on Tuesday urged the Department of Justice to emphasize enforcement of laws prohibiting “female genital mutilation” without specifically addressing the Tennessee case.
When Trump ran for office, he promised to “stop the chemical, physical, and emotional mutilation of our youth.” Since taking office, he has issued executive orders prohibiting transgender military from serving and declaring male and female to be the only sexes recognized by the federal government.
On Tuesday, liberal advocacy organizations denied Trump’s plan for transgender treatment for children and teenagers. Cait Smith, director of LGBTQI+ policy at the Center for American Progress, condemned Trump in a statement for dictating health-care decisions for transgender children and their families.
“We all desire the freedom to make our own medical decisions, guided by reputable medical professionals. Today’s Executive Order follows the same old script that MAGA Republican politicians and judges used to interfere with women and their reproductive health care; now they are depriving doctors and families of the right to make their own medical decisions,” Smith stated.
The conservative Alliance Defending Freedom praised Trump’s decision, calling it a “refreshing return to sanity,” according to senior counsel Matt Sharp.
“We applaud President Trump for fulfilling his promise to America’s families and taking these critical steps to protect children from harmful, experimental, and often irreversible medical procedures,” Mr. Sharp stated.
Contributing: Maureen Groppe.
