The Trump administration is not playing games whatsoever. They are taking an axe to corruption everywhere.
And President Trump just nuked an entire underground industry causing total chaos.
Trump’s Executive Order Marks a Major Step in Dismantling Transgender Medical Industry
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump took a significant step towards rolling back federal support for transgender medical procedures, particularly those related to minors. Through a new executive order, Trump moved to end federal funding for child s*x-change operations, challenge the legitimacy of medical associations that endorse such procedures, and increase the legal liability for healthcare providers involved in these practices.
The order represents a stark contrast to the policies of the Biden administration, which has been vocal in its support for transgender rights, including gender-affirming care for minors. Trump’s move signals that institutions and individuals backing what he terms the “chemical and surgical mutilation of children” will be scrutinized by federal law enforcement.
One of the key elements of Trump’s order is its rejection of what the administration deems “junk science,” particularly the World Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) and its widely used clinical guidelines. WPATH’s “Standards of Care” (SOC-8) has long served as a critical reference for gender-affirming treatments and insurance coverage in the medical community. Trump’s executive action bans federal agencies from citing or utilizing SOC-8, claiming that the guidelines lack scientific integrity.
This decision could have serious implications for states and medical institutions that rely on WPATH’s guidelines, such as Pennsylvania’s state pediatric insurance plan and several prominent healthcare providers like Seattle Children’s Gender Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and Children’s Wisconsin Gender Health Clinic. These organizations often refer to WPATH in their policies and treatment recommendations. The executive order directs federal agencies to rescind or amend any policies that cite SOC-8, including HHS guidance such as the 2022 document titled “Gender-Affirming Care and Young People,” which advocates for puberty blockers, cross-s*x hormones, and s*x-change surgeries.
In an effort to reevaluate best practices for treating gender dysphoria in children, the Trump administration has ordered a review of available literature and will publish its findings within 90 days.
Cutting Federal Funding for Transgender Procedures
In a decisive move, Trump’s executive order also cuts all federal funding for s*x-change procedures on children. This includes halting funding through key programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as through Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
During both the Obama and Biden administrations, the federal government pushed medical institutions to embrace gender-affirming care, with the ACA’s non-discrimination provision extended to include gender identity. This redefinition essentially forced insurance companies to cover s*x-change treatments, arguing that refusing coverage was discriminatory.
Trump’s order explicitly directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw documents such as the “Notice and Guidance on Gender Affirming Care, Civil Rights, and Patient Privacy,” which had previously empowered parents to file civil rights complaints when transgender procedures were denied to their children. Additionally, the executive action prohibits further taxpayer funding for research and education grants related to pediatric gender medicine, significantly curbing the financial support available to medical institutions conducting such research.
The impact of this shift could be earth-shattering. Between 2018 and 2023, over $165 million in state funds were allocated for gender transition services, including puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries, with more than $45 million specifically spent on minors aged 17 and under.
The executive order also brings heightened legal accountability for doctors and clinics offering gender-affirming procedures, directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate and potentially prosecute those who cause harm to children through such treatments.
The order prioritizes enforcement of existing laws against female genital mutilation (FGM), in cooperation with state attorneys general and other law enforcement agencies. This has garnered support from figures like Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who has been active in investigating practices at hospitals like the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Bailey launched an inquiry after a whistleblower revealed concerns over the lack of proper screening and parental consent for minors receiving hormone treatments.
Further strengthening consumer protection, the executive order calls for increased investigations into entities that may be misleading the public regarding the long-term consequences of transgender treatments. The DOJ is directed to enforce the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which allows for civil and criminal penalties against misleading advertising and practices related to drug prescriptions and medical procedures.
As Mark Trammell, Executive Director and General Counsel at the Center for American Liberty, explained, “President Trump is right to encourage the investigation of this off-label usage of drugs being prescribed to minors because we know that the effects of it are very dangerous.” Trammell represents several detransitioners, including Chloe Cole, who are seeking legal remedies for injuries linked to cross-s*x hormones and surgeries.
Potential Lawsuits for Victims of Gender Transition Procedures
The executive order also paves the way for lawsuits by children and their parents who believe their healthy bodies have been harmed by gender-affirming treatments. It directs the DOJ to consult with Congress on creating a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue medical professionals for procedures they deem harmful.
Legislation to support such lawsuits has already been introduced. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri reintroduced a bill this week allowing individuals who have undergone transgender procedures to sue the doctors involved. This follows growing concerns over the long-term consequences of gender-affirming treatments, particularly for minors.
Moreover, the executive order may also target Democratic-led states that have positioned themselves as “refuge” states for transgender youth. For instance, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz signed a law allowing courts to take “temporary emergency jurisdiction” over children in the state who are seeking gender-affirming care. Trump’s order directs the DOJ to prioritize investigations into these states, particularly in cases where they remove children from parents who oppose gender transition procedures. Enforcement of these actions could involve legal tools like the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, which prevents states from altering custody decisions made in other jurisdictions.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
