Seventeen States, Officials Sue Trump Administration Over Gender-Affirming Care Restrictions

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general and governors, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration, accusing it of unlawfully intimidating healthcare providers who offer gender-affirming care to transgender and non-binary youth. The lawsuit contends that the administration's use of subpoenas and investigations into providers constitutes a nationwide attempt to ban gender-affirming care for minors, despite no federal law prohibiting such care. The administration justifies its actions by alleging healthcare fraud and other violations, while critics argue these policies risk the health and dignity of transgender youth. Several hospitals and clinics have halted or restricted gender-affirming treatments, citing fear of criminal prosecution, even in states where the care remains legal. This legal battle reflects broader political and legal tensions, as 28 Republican-controlled states have enacted bans or restrictions on gender-affirming care, upheld in part by a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming state rights to enforce such laws. The dispute highlights ongoing conflicts over transgender healthcare access amid shifting federal and state policies.