Returning to fundamental truths is already a theme of President Donald Trump’s second term. Last week, the president signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” On Tuesday, he signed an executive order titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.”
In 2025, this almost seems bold. In reality, it is common sense and basic protection for minors.
The order is explicit in its scope: “It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.”
The definition of these procedures and so-called care is as follows: “The phrase ‘chemical and surgical mutilation’ means the use of puberty blockers … the use of sex hormones … and surgical procedures that attempt to transform an individual’s physical appearance to align with an identity that differs from his or her sex or that attempt to alter or remove an individual’s sexual organs to minimize or destroy their natural biological functions.”
It takes but a moment to read what constitutes gender-affirming “care” and realize how truly horrifying it is. The life-long consequences are severe. Children are exposed to and pushed toward this by family members, therapists, and doctors who believe altering the minds and bodies of minors is not only good but necessary.
But children are neither emotionally, mentally, or physically mature enough for gender transitioning. They should be protected from adults who wish to project their pathologies onto them. This is why Trump’s executive order protecting children from harmful medical procedures is essential. It’s not an extreme shift toward a far-right ideology. If anything, it’s a return to basic sense.
Among other things, the order also directs the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw a Biden-era guidance and “issue new guidance protecting whistleblowers who take action related to ensuring compliance with this order.” Removing the dangerous directives issued during the Biden administration is a must.
But the executive order doesn’t stop there. It also directs the attorney general to “prioritize investigations and take appropriate action to end child-abusive practices by so-called sanctuary States that facilitate stripping custody from parents who support the healthy development of their own children, including by considering the application of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act and recognized constitutional rights.”
The decision in the Supreme Court case United States v. Skrmetti, set to be decided in June, will address whether states are legally allowed to ban the kinds of practices outlined in Trump’s executive order.
On X, author Abigail Shrier, who wrote the important work Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, reacted to the executive order with: “Fifteen years of unconscionable madness ends today — hopefully, forever.”
Shrier’s book is so controversial that both Amazon and Target were inundated with complaints from LGBT advocates to remove it. Amazon refused, and while Target initially removed it, it eventually reversed the decision.
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The truth about gender transitioning and transgender ideology as it relates to minors is decried as hate speech. It is of the utmost importance that there be both investigative writings such as Shrier’s book and guidance such as Trump’s order. This poison must be combated. And the Trump administration is not alone. In December, the United Kingdom held up a ban of puberty blockers for minors. This isn’t some U.S. partisan talking point. Even those in the international community recognize these medical practices are destructive.
Trump’s executive order is prudent, not radical. Of course, this means the legacy media and Democratic Party will see it as nothing but outrageous. That’s because for so long, the public has been told chemical and surgical mutilation helps children with gender dysphoria. The Biden administration promoted harmful agendas. This executive order finally puts children first.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a contributing freelance columnist at the Freemen News-Letter.