On Wednesday, President Donald Trump of the United States enacted an executive order aimed at prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, marking his latest initiative against transgender individuals since resuming his presidency.
“From this point forward, women’s sports will be exclusively for women. With this executive order, the conflict regarding women’s sports is concluded,” Trump stated prior to signing the order at the White House, flanked by numerous children and female athletes.
Prominent Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and outspoken Congresswoman Marjorie Greene, were present to witness the signing ceremony.
“We will uphold the esteemed tradition of female athletes, and we will not permit men to harm, injure, or deceive our women and girls,” Trump continued, eliciting applause and cheers from the audience.
The executive order empowers U.S. government agencies to withhold funding from educational institutions that allow transgender athletes to participate on women’s teams.
“If you permit men to dominate women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will face an investigation… and jeopardize your federal funding,” Trump warned.
He also expressed his intention to urge the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to revise its regulations concerning transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Trump indicated that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “make it clear” to the IOC that “we expect them to amend all policies related to the Olympics and this absurd issue.”
Additionally, he mentioned that he had directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reject visa applications “submitted by men attempting to deceitfully enter the United States while claiming to be women athletes in order to participate in the Games.”
Throughout his second term, Trump has consistently targeted gender non-conforming individuals through a series of orders that advance his far-right agenda.
In his inaugural address, Trump declared that U.S. government policy would recognize only two genders, male and female, thereby discontinuing the option for a third gender designation.
Days later, Trump enacted an order aimed at eliminating what he termed “transgender ideology” from the military, effectively instituting a ban on transgender service members. Additionally, he issued a directive to limit gender transition procedures for individuals under the age of 19.
These actions were taken despite the fact that transgender individuals represent only a small fraction of the US population.
Throughout the 2024 election campaign, he consistently criticized Democrats on the contentious issue of transgender rights, leveraging a wider cultural conflict surrounding the subject.
One of Trump’s most effective lines of attack against his electoral opponent, Kamala Harris, was, “Kamala Harris is for they/them. President Trump is for you,” which specifically targeted her advocacy for transgender rights.
He also highlighted her previous support for gender reassignment surgeries for incarcerated individuals.
His executive order on Wednesday followed the passage of a bill by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in January, which imposed significant restrictions on transgender athletes competing in girls' and women’s sports.
As transgender individuals have gained greater visibility in the United States, prompting discussions about gender norms and equity, many conservatives have united in support of women’s sports.
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