Trump Signs Executive Order Limiting Gender Transition Procedures for Minors

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order titled 'Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,' which prohibits federal funding for gender transition procedures for individuals under 19. The order asserts that the U.S. will not support any medical interventions aimed at transitioning minors, labeling these practices as 'irreversible and destructive.' It specifically targets puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and related surgeries, calling them a 'stain on our Nation’s history.' The order mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services review existing literature on gender dysphoria and issue new guidance within 90 days, while also directing federally-run insurance programs to exclude coverage for these procedures. Additionally, the directive tasks the Department of Justice with enforcing laws against practices deemed harmful, like female genital mutilation. This action is expected to spark legal challenges as it pushes against the prevailing standards of care for transgender youth.