"Only Two Genders? Trump’s Statement Shakes the Nation"

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." This order mandates that the federal government recognize only two genders—male and female—defined strictly by biological sex assigned at conception. It directs federal agencies to replace the term "gender" with "sex" in official materials, eliminate content promoting "gender ideology," and cease funding for gender-affirming care. Additionally, the order prohibits transgender individuals from being housed in facilities corresponding to their gender identity and removes options for self-identification of gender on official documents like passports and visas.

This policy shift has sparked significant controversy. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, civil rights organizations, and medical experts have condemned the order, arguing that it disregards established understandings of gender identity and undermines protections for transgender individuals. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has pledged to challenge the order in court, asserting that it aims to erase transgender people from public life. Conversely, some conservative groups have expressed support, viewing the order as a reaffirmation of traditional gender definitions.

The executive order represents a significant policy change from previous administrations and is expected to have widespread implications for federal policies and the rights of transgender individuals in the United States.