As President-elect Donald Trump steps into his second term in office in 2025, transgender policy is set to be a significant part of his administration’s early actions. With the issue of transgender rights and medical care for minors becoming a focal point of national debate in the lead-up to the election, Trump has vowed to act quickly on these concerns, particularly focusing on gender-affirming care for minors.
This blog post explores Trump’s potential actions on transgender matters, particularly regarding medical transitions, federal funding, and legislative changes, as well as the broader political impact of these policies. Whether you’re concerned or supportive, here’s what to expect from Trump’s transgender agenda in 2025.
Trump’s Focus on Transgender Care for Minors
Gender-affirming care, which often includes puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and sometimes surgeries, has become a polarizing issue in recent years. The debate has gained traction in the 2024 presidential race, with Trump making it clear that, should he return to office, he will take immediate action to curtail transgender medical procedures for minors.
- Executive Action on Day One: Trump has already pledged to sign an executive order on his first day, instructing federal agencies to cease promoting gender transitions at any age.
- Defining Sex and Gender: A key part of Trump’s transgender agenda may include defining sex and gender strictly as binary (male and female) in federal law. This could have far-reaching implications for policy and legal decisions related to transgender rights.
As Jay Richards of the Heritage Foundation explains, without a clear definition of sex at the federal level, much of the legal and administrative battle over transgender issues will continue. Blocking federal funding for gender-affirming treatments for minors could be one of the administration’s first moves.
Trump’s Focus on Federal Funding for Transgender Procedures
One of the most contentious aspects of Trump’s transgender agenda will be his likely efforts to restrict federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors.
- Cuts to Funding: Trump aims to block federal dollars from going to any medical institution that provides gender transition services to minors.
- Healthcare Reform: Additionally, there may be shifts in Medicare and Medicaid guidelines, which could put pressure on hospitals and providers to reconsider offering transgender care to minors in order to keep receiving government funding.
Jon Schweppe from the American Principles Project indicates that Trump’s administration might push to change federal safety standards for hospitals. These changes would make it harder for institutions to perform gender transition procedures without the threat of losing financial support.
Transgender Prison Policy: A Key Focus
A significant aspect of Trump’s transgender agenda may involve reversing policies concerning transgender prisoners. Under the current Biden administration, some transgender individuals are housed in prisons based on their gender identity, leading to controversies and concerns over safety.
- Transgender Prison Policies: Trump’s team is likely to focus on preventing trans-identified individuals from being housed in female prisons, especially when concerns over assaults and inappropriate behaviour arise.
- Policy Impact: Richards and other conservative voices argue that housing biological males in female prisons, simply based on gender identity, compromises the safety of female inmates. Trump’s administration will likely introduce policies to address these concerns.
Trump’s Cabinet Picks and Their Impact on Transgender Policy
Trump’s Cabinet appointments will play a critical role in shaping his transgender agenda. The president-elect has already signaled that his picks will focus on reversing many of the pro-transgender policies established under the Biden administration.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary: Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services could signal a shift in policy towards pharmaceutical industry regulation and transgender medicine. Kennedy has expressed skepticism about the safety of puberty blockers and hormones, particularly for minors.
- Medical Malpractice and Detransition: Richards predicts that medical malpractice lawsuits from detransitioners (those who regret transitioning) will eventually have a significant impact on transgender medical practices, putting further pressure on lawmakers to limit access to transgender treatments.
Legislative Action: The Future of Transgender Laws in Congress
With a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump may have the support needed to push forward key pieces of transgender-related legislation. Two bills, in particular, stand out:
- Defining Male and Female Act: Introduced by Representative Mary Miller (R-IL), this bill seeks to establish that sex is an observable, biological characteristic, not subject to self-identification.
- Ban on Transgender Medical Procedures for Minors: A bill introduced by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) would not only prohibit gender transition procedures for minors but also allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties on anyone who performs these procedures on minors.
The Political Influence of Transgender Issues
Transgender issues played a significant role in the 2024 election cycle, and many believe that they were pivotal in Trump’s victory.
- Ad Campaigns Targeting Kamala Harris: Trump’s campaign made strategic use of an $11 million ad campaign, attacking Vice President Kamala Harris for her support of taxpayer-funded cross-sex surgical procedures for trans-identified inmates. This ad, airing in swing states, reinforced Trump’s stance on transgender issues.
- Public Opinion: According to exit polling, a majority of voters (55%) believe that support for transgender issues has “gone too far.” Importantly, 47% of voters support laws that ban transgender medical treatments for minors, including a significant proportion of parents of children under 18.
Global Trends and the Future of Transgender Medicine
The debate over transgender medical care for minors is not confined to the United States. Many countries have already implemented changes to restrict access to gender transition treatments for minors.
- European Trends: Countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland have all moved to restrict or regulate the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors. These countries have recognised the potential risks and lack of sufficient long-term data supporting these treatments.
- Potential Future in the U.S.: Richards predicts that the U.S. may follow similar trends, with medical procedures for transgender minors potentially ending in the next three to five years due to legislative action and increasing medical malpractice lawsuits.
Conclusion: Trump’s Transgender Agenda for 2025
In summary, Trump’s second term in office is likely to bring significant changes to the landscape of transgender rights and healthcare. With a focus on restricting federal funding for transgender medical procedures for minors, a potential shift in prison policies, and legislative backing to define sex and gender clearly, 2025 promises to be a year of transformation for transgender issues in the U.S.
As Trump pushes forward with his transgender agenda, the political and legal battles are likely to intensify, making it a critical issue for both policymakers and the general public in the years to come.
Relevant Links for Further Reading
Photo credit: ACLU
