President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday seeking to limit access to gender transition surgeries for people younger than 19, marking the president’s latest policy move against transgender rights.
The order was issued Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The order, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” looks to stop federal programs from funding, sponsoring, promoting, assisting or supporting gender transitions for individuals under 19 years of age.
Trump said in the order the U.S. will “rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.”
Federal insurance programs are targeted in the order, with Tricare and Medicaid being ordered to exclude gender transitions for those under 19 from their coverage.
The order says “chemical and surgical mutilation” includes puberty blockers, the use of hormones like estrogen and testosterone and surgical procedures.
The order also instructs the secretary of health and human services, which would be Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if he is confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, to publish a review of the “existing literature on best practices for promoting the health of children who assert gender dysphoria, rapid-onset gender dysphoria, or other identity-based confusion.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.