
President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order to end federal support for gender-affirming care for minors, sparking a heated debate on medical ethics and children’s rights.
At a Glance
- Trump’s Executive Order aims to end “gender-affirming care” for minors
- The order redefines and eliminates federal endorsement of such care
- Federal agencies must rescind reliance on WPATH guidelines
- Federal funding will be cut to institutions performing these procedures on minors
- The order is expected to face legal challenges
Trump’s Executive Order: A Turning Point
On January 28, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that has sent shockwaves through the medical community and reignited the debate on transgenderism. The order, titled “PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM CHEMICAL AND SURGICAL MUTILATION,” aims to end federal support for what has been termed “gender-affirming care” for minors.
The Executive Order mandates federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to rescind their reliance on guidelines from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). It also requires a comprehensive review of literature on best practices for promoting the health of children experiencing gender dysphoria.
🚨🇺🇸 TRUMP BANS FEDERAL FUNDS FOR “GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE” IN SWEEPING EXECUTIVE ORDER
Trump signed a major executive order cutting all federal funding for gender-affirming medical procedures for minors, calling them “barbaric” and vowing to end taxpayer support for such… https://t.co/IuYJ5Rd9Fx pic.twitter.com/f3IiVLNNge
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 29, 2025
Implications and Reactions
The order’s implications are far-reaching. It cuts federal funding to medical institutions that continue to perform so-called gender-affirming procedures on minors and allows for potential criminal investigations and lawsuits against medical professionals who engage in these practices. Federal insurance programs, including TRICARE and Federal Employee Health Benefits, are directed to exclude coverage for gender transition treatments for minors.
“Today’s order lays out a clear plan to shut down access to life-saving medical care for transgender youth nationwide, overriding the role of families and putting politics between patients and their doctors,” Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union said.
Conversely, conservative groups have welcomed the order. The Alliance Defending Freedom called it “a refreshing return to sanity.”
Trump’s Executive Order did not occur in isolation. Over 26 U.S. states have already implemented similar restrictions. The order aligns with a growing trend of scrutiny towards these medical interventions, particularly for young people.
Recent reviews in European countries and a UK review have highlighted weak evidence supporting medical interventions for children with gender dysphoria. This international perspective adds weight to the concerns raised by the Trump administration and conservative groups in the United States.