Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation
This is an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump, titled “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” signed January 28, 2025. The order directs federal agencies to oppose, restrict, and ultimately end what it terms “chemical and surgical mutilation” of minors—primarily referring to puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 19. It lays out a broad policy to avoid funding or supporting such interventions, rescind or amend policies based on certain professional guidelines (notably WPATH), and push for regulatory and funding changes across federal health programs, insurance plans, and research grants. It also calls for enforcement actions by the Department of Justice, potential legislative work to create private rights of action for affected families, and regular reporting on progress. Because it is an executive order, its effect depends on how federal agencies implement it within existing law and appropriations. Key elements include redefining terms to cover “chemical and surgical mutilation,” restricting federal dollars and coverage for related care, directing HHS to review and replace guidance, phasing out related TRICARE/FEHB/PSHB coverage, empowering DOJ enforcement, and requiring a coordinated, timely progress report to the White House.
Key Points
- 1Policy stance and scope: The order declares that the United States will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the “transition” of a child to a different sex, and it sets the aim to end what it calls chemical and surgical mutilation of minors.
- 2Definitions: It defines “child” as anyone under 19 and specifies that “chemical and surgical mutilation” includes puberty blockers, sex hormones, and gender-affirming surgeries, as well as related medical interventions.
- 3Ending reliance on certain medical guidelines and improving data: The order directs agencies to rescind or amend policies that rely on WPATH guidance (including Standards of Care Version 8) and to have HHS review literature on best practices for health care for minors with gender dysphoria or related identity issues within 90 days; it also directs improved data collection to guide care.
- 4Funding and coverage restrictions: The order requires defunding or removing funding for chemical and surgical mutilation through federal research or education grants, TRICARE, and federal employee health programs, with explicit steps to exclude such care from TRICARE and from FEHB/PSHB coverage, and to pursue premium reductions for those programs.
- 5Enforcement and legal avenues: It tasks the Department of Justice to enforce protections against related abuses (including female genital mutilation), coordinate with state attorneys general, address consumer deception, and pursue a private right of action for children and their parents (via proposed legislation) as well as actions against “sanctuary” state practices. It also mentions whistleblower protections and potential guidance changes.
- 6Oversight and implementation: The order requires a 60-day progress report to the White House Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and mandates ongoing coordination among agency heads to implement the order.