The order halts federal funding for medical procedures involving puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for minors, stirring debate among medical professionals and LGBTQ advocates

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end federal support for gender-affirming care for minors, including surgeries and the use of puberty blockers or sex hormones for those under 19. The order bans any federal funding, promotion, or support for gender-transition procedures, aiming to curb what it calls “destructive and life-altering” medical interventions.

The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw guidelines on gender-affirming care and enforce policies restricting access to these procedures under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. It also mandates the exclusion of gender-affirming care from the Federal Employee Health Benefits and military health insurance.

Critics, including major medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argue that gender-affirming care is a necessary, evidence-based treatment for transgender individuals, including minors, and has been shown to improve mental health outcomes. However, Trump’s order describes these practices as “irreversible medical interventions” and directs a review of state-level protections for transgender youth.

The order also requests investigations into states that safeguard access to gender-affirming care and mandates exclusion from federal health benefits starting in 2026. Additionally, it calls for the Department of Justice to scrutinize legal cases involving female genital mutilation in minors.

This move follows a broader trend in the U.S. with 26 states passing legislation to restrict gender-affirming care for minors. The executive order is likely to spark further legal battles, as transgender rights groups and medical experts rally to protect access to what they consider essential healthcare for transgender youth.