TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER OFFICIALLY BANNING “CHEMICAL AND SURGICAL MUTILATION” OF CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES
On January 28, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14187, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” effectively banning federal support for gender-affirming medical care for individuals under the age of 19. The order directs federal agencies to cease funding, promoting, or assisting in medical interventions such as puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and gender-affirming surgeries for minors citeturn0search0turn0search28.
The executive order mandates that federal departments, including Health and Human Services (HHS), ensure that institutions receiving federal funds do not provide gender-affirming treatments to minors. It also instructs the Office of Personnel Management to prohibit federal employee health insurance plans from covering such care for individuals under 19 citeturn0search28.
Proponents of the order argue that it protects children from irreversible medical procedures and aligns with a viewpoint that questions the scientific basis of gender-affirming care for minors. The administration has criticized guidelines from organizations like the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), labeling them as lacking scientific integrity citeturn0search4.
However, major medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support gender-affirming care as evidence-based and essential for the well-being of transgender youth. They contend that such care is associated with improved mental health outcomes and reduced rates of depression and suicide among transgender minors citeturn0news34.
The executive order has sparked legal challenges from multiple states and advocacy groups. Attorneys general from 15 states have expressed their commitment to continuing the provision of gender-affirming care to minors, and several lawsuits have been filed contesting the legality of the order. Some federal judges have issued injunctions blocking the enforcement of the order, particularly the withholding of federal funds from hospitals that provide such care citeturn0search28.
In response to the order, some hospitals initially paused gender-affirming treatments for minors to assess legal risks, while others continued to provide care, citing state laws that protect transgender rights. The situation has led to a patchwork of policies across the country, with access to care varying significantly depending on state legislation and ongoing legal proceedings citeturn0search28.
The order is part of a broader series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at rolling back protections for transgender individuals. Previous executive orders have included directives to define sex strictly as male or female based on reproductive anatomy and to restrict transgender individuals’ participation in certain federal programs citeturn0search1.
As the legal battles continue, the future of gender-affirming care for minors in the United States remains uncertain. The outcome of these challenges will have significant implications for healthcare providers, transgender youth, and the broader discourse on gender identity and medical ethics in the country.
