President Trump’s new memo reinstates the ‘global gag rule,’ potentially hindering reproductive health care and family planning worldwide
In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has reinstated the “global gag rule,” a controversial policy that prevents foreign aid recipients from informing patients about abortion options. This rule, detailed in a presidential memorandum on Friday, significantly extends the reach of previous Republican administrations’ policies on reproductive health.
Under Trump’s directive, U.S. global health funding will be contingent upon aid recipients not offering or even discussing abortion as an option for patients. The policy, known for its broad impact, goes beyond restricting aid tied directly to family planning services, unlike previous Republican administrations which only applied it to such aid. This expansive version affects all global health funding, potentially disrupting efforts in areas like HIV prevention, contraception access, and the fight against diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.
This policy has a history of halting family planning programs in foreign countries, resulting in fewer available contraceptives and an increase in unintended pregnancies, even in nations where abortion is illegal. Critics argue that such policies worsen health outcomes globally, leading to more unsafe abortions and a lack of family planning resources.
Embed from Getty ImagesAdditionally, Trump signed an executive order reinforcing the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used to support abortion services, further cementing his anti-abortion stance. This order rescinds two Biden-era actions that aimed to expand abortion access and defined it as healthcare.
The series of actions comes amid growing speculation surrounding Trump’s approach to abortion policy in his second term, following a more subdued address at the annual March for Life earlier on Friday. Despite the anticipation, Trump did not directly commit to the policies that the pro-life movement had been urging him to enact.
