In a move that has ignited fierce national debate, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14187, titled Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation. The directive, signed in January 2025, aims to halt federal support for gender-affirming medical care for minors — including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical procedures.
The administration framed the order as a fulfillment of a campaign promise to end what it calls “irreversible and pseudoscientific practices” on children. The language used in the official White House article is stark, referring to gender-affirming care as “chemical and surgical mutilation” — a term that has drawn criticism from medical associations and civil rights groups.
Since the order’s enactment, over 20 major health systems across the U.S. have suspended or terminated gender-affirming services for patients under 19. These include:
- Yale New Haven Health
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital
- Stanford Medicine
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
- Kaiser Permanente
The executive order also directs federal agencies to rescind policies based on guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and calls for a review of federal insurance programs like TRICARE and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan to exclude coverage for such treatments.
⚖️ Legal & Ethical Fallout
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU and Lambda Legal, have filed lawsuits challenging the order’s constitutionality. A federal court in Maryland issued a partial injunction, citing potential violations of the Equal Protection Clause and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
Medical experts warn that the rollback of services could leave vulnerable youth without access to mental health support or safe alternatives — potentially increasing risks of depression and suicide.