Two federal judges have temporarily halted President Trump's executive order that restricts federal funding for healthcare providers who offer gender-affirming care to minors. The order, titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation," was signed by Trump on January 28th and aims to prevent the prescription of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth.
Judge Lauren King of the Western Washington District Court issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, following a similar order issued by Judge Brendan Hurson in Maryland on Thursday. Both judges ruled in favor of plaintiffs who argued that the executive order discriminates against transgender minors and restricts their access to necessary medical care.
President Trump signing an executive order. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Trump defended his executive order, stating that medical professionals are "maiming and sterilizing" children under the guise of gender-affirming care. He reiterated this stance on Truth Social, emphasizing his commitment to preventing federal funding of these procedures. He believes these medical interventions have "ruined far too many precious lives."
A transgender rights supporter rallies outside the U.S. Supreme Court during arguments on transgender health rights. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Mark Trammell, executive director and general counsel of the Center for American Liberty, applauded Trump's action, praising him for "protecting vulnerable children from the gender industrial complex." He criticized the Biden administration for not taking similar action and prioritizing "politics over the health of vulnerable children."
Demonstrations for and against transgender rights outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
In contrast, Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, criticized the executive order as a political intrusion into personal healthcare decisions. Robinson argued that such decisions should be made by families, doctors, and patients, not politicians, and emphasized the support of major medical associations for evidence-based gender-affirming care.
