President Donald J. Trump today signed a sweeping executive order aimed at banning what the administration refers to as “chemical and surgical mutilation” of children, taking direct aim at pediatric gender transition treatments.
The order, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” enacts significant policy changes to restrict federal funding for gender-affirming care and to bolster enforcement against related medical practices nationwide.
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The executive order declares it U.S. policy to prohibit federal funds, support, or promotion of pediatric gender-affirming medical interventions.
It outlines detailed measures across multiple federal departments, including Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice (DOJ), to curtail treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and gender-related surgeries for individuals under the age of 19.
The order also requires:
- Defunding Medical Institutions: Federal research and education grants will be withheld from hospitals and schools performing pediatric gender-transition treatments.
- TRICARE Coverage Restrictions: The Department of Defense will exclude these treatments from military health insurance programs.
- Insurance Policy Changes: Federal Employee Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits programs will bar coverage for transgender-related pediatric surgeries or hormone treatments.
- Consumer Protection: The DOJ is directed to prioritize investigations into deceptive practices or misinformation regarding long-term effects of gender-affirming care, including potential fraud or violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
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The administration asserts that gender transition procedures for minors are based on “junk science” and that such treatments cause irreversible physical and psychological harm. “Across the country today, medical professionals are maiming and sterilizing impressionable children,” the order reads, describing such practices as a “stain on our Nation’s history.” The President emphasized the need for regulatory oversight to ensure no federal resources support what he described as harmful and experimental medical practices.
President Trump’s executive order also calls for a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence surrounding gender dysphoria and the publication of updated guidance from HHS within 90 days. The administration intends to replace existing standards, such as those issued by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which the order deems lacking in “scientific integrity.”
The executive order represents a significant escalation in the administration’s broader campaign to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as gender-related policies, in government and public life. It builds upon earlier executive actions restricting DEI programs and eliminating gender-affirming policies in federal agencies and education.
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The order also authorizes federal law enforcement agencies to challenge states that support gender-affirming care for minors or policies that strip parental custody over disputes involving a child’s medical treatment. It tasks the DOJ with drafting legislation to allow parents and children affected by such procedures to file lawsuits against medical professionals.
The order is expected to face legal challenges from civil rights organizations, healthcare providers, and potentially states with laws protecting access to gender-affirming care. Some states, including California and New York, have already vowed to resist federal policies that restrict gender-affirming treatments.
As part of its implementation strategy, the Trump administration has directed federal agencies to submit progress reports within 60 days, with updates on future actions to enforce the order’s provisions.
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