Trump's Order Restricting Sex-Change Procedures for Minors Aligns with Medical Principle of 'Do No Harm,' Doctor Says
Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation," which restricts certain medical procedures for minors seeking gender transitions. The EO prevents the federal government from funding, promoting, or supporting sex-change operations and related treatments for children. This move has sparked both criticism and support, with medical experts and detransitioners weighing in on the implications.
The order argues that medical professionals across the U.S. are performing irreversible procedures on children under the "radical and false claim" that a child’s sex can be changed. It highlights concerns about lifelong medical complications, sterilization, and regret among some individuals who transition at a young age.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, compared the EO to policies in the United Kingdom and much of the European Union, which have also taken a more cautious approach to youth gender transitions. Siegel emphasized the importance of ensuring that children receive adequate mental health support and are not influenced by societal or political pressures. He raised concerns about the long-term impacts of puberty blockers—such as Lupron—which he noted can affect bone growth, fertility, cognition, and overall health.
The EO bans the use of puberty blockers and surgical interventions, including mastectomies and other gender-affirming surgeries, for minors. Siegel expressed concern about the irreversibility of these procedures and suggested that conflicting research exists regarding the benefits of early intervention for gender dysphoria in children.
Chloe Cole, a detransitioner and activist, shared her personal experience of undergoing gender transition treatments between the ages of 12 and 16, including taking puberty blockers and testosterone, and undergoing a double mastectomy at 15. She described lasting health effects and regrets about her transition, arguing that such procedures should not be performed on minors.
While Dr. Siegel stated that his concerns are specifically about treatments for minors, he maintained a different stance for adults seeking gender-affirming care.