Donald Trump has declared that the federal government will only recognise two sexes - male and female - during his inauguration ceremony today at the US Capitol.

The announcement came as the newly sworn-in president addressed approximately 600 allies, dignitaries and family members inside the Capitol Rotunda.

The policy change was presented as a measure to end what Trump described as efforts to "socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life."

Trump is set to sign approximately 200 executive orders on his first day back in office, marking what he calls a "new golden age of America."

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the new president of the United States

The gender policy directive will require the State Department, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to apply only male or female designations on government documents including passports and visas.

While Trump did not explicitly mention women's sports in his Capitol address, the policy aligns with his pledge to protect women from what he termed "gender extremism."

Former NCAA swimmer and conservative activist Riley Gaines immediately praised Trump's announcement on social media platform X.

"We finally have a true CHAMPION for women in the White House," Gaines posted, sharing a clip of Trump's declaration.

She highlighted that sex-based definitions are already law in eight states and introduced in eight more, adding that "Today, it will be established at the federal level."

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Social media users echoed Gaines's support for the measure, with one calling Trump a "champion for REAL women!"

"Finally some sanity being restored," wrote another user. "It's amazing we'd need to enshrine it as an absolute law, but we clearly need it."

Another supporter posted: "There are only two genders, male & female, declares President @realDonaldTrump on his first day in office. What a day to start as a President of the people of the United States of America! Endgame for wokes."

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Trump's announcement follows his December speech at AmericaFest in Arizona, where he first outlined these plans.

"With a stroke of my pen on Day 1, we're going to stop the transgender lunacy," Trump declared at the event.

He promised to "sign executive orders to end child mutilation, get transgender out of the military and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools."

We finally have a true CHAMPION for women in the White House.

Sex-based definitions are already law in 8 states & introduced in 8 more. Today, it will be established at the federal level.

I want to thank @IWV for being the architect of definitions legislation.???????? pic.twitter.com/LeWwZMlo1n

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) January 20, 2025

"Under the Trump administration, it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders — male and female," he stated.

The new directive will reverse policies enacted under President Biden's administration, including the State Department's 2022 policy allowing Americans to select a third gender option "X" on passports.

Biden's policy had not required medical documentation for choosing the third gender option on official documents.

The change marks a significant shift in federal policy regarding gender recognition on government documentation.