By Shortly after being sworn in, US President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping the government’s stance on gender identity, diversity, and inclusion. These moves fulfilled promises Trump made during his campaign and marked a significant departure from policies enacted under the Biden administration.
Among the orders rescinded were directives intended to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Trump also signed an order defining gender strictly as male and female, declaring that these categories cannot be altered.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump stated during his inaugural address on Monday.
Trump’s administration described the revoked orders as “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government.” Among the rescinded measures was a directive designed to promote racial equity and support underserved communities.
An official from the administration announced that one of the new orders would “end DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] inside the federal government,” slashing funding for DEI initiatives across all federal agencies and initiating a review of offices renamed under such programs.
The move follows broader shifts in the private sector, where companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Meta have scaled back their DEI programs since Trump’s election. However, others, such as Apple, Target, and Costco, have publicly defended their commitment to diversity initiatives.
Supporters of DEI programs argue they are crucial for addressing systemic discrimination based on race, gender, and other characteristics. These initiatives gained prominence following the racial justice protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
However, the landscape for diversity programs began to shift in 2023 when the US Supreme Court prohibited universities from considering race in admissions decisions, effectively dismantling affirmative action. Trump’s executive actions build on this momentum, coinciding with growing criticism from conservatives and religious groups against expanding transgender rights.
Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump emphasized traditional views on gender, often criticizing Democrats for their support of transgender rights. His administration pledged to eliminate federal funding for what it described as “radical gender ideology” and “inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content aimed at children.”
Trump has also taken a strong stance against allowing transgender athletes to compete on teams that align with their gender identity, citing concerns about the integrity of women’s sports. He and his allies have called for restrictions on medical treatments for transgender minors, further polarizing the national debate.
One of Trump’s campaign advertisements declared, “President Trump is for you,” contrasting his policies with those of his opponent, Kamala Harris, whom the ad criticized for supporting inclusive pronouns such as “they/them.”
Trump’s order defining only two genders could have significant social and health implications. Health experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have cautioned against policies that marginalize individuals based on gender identity, warning of potential harm to mental and physical wellbeing.
“Rigid gender norms negatively affect people with diverse gender identities, who often face violence, stigma, and discrimination, including in healthcare settings,” the WHO has stated.
In a related move, Trump signed an executive order on Monday to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization, further distancing his administration from global health advisory bodies.
Trump’s return to power, marked by these contentious actions, underscores a broader cultural and political shift that is likely to shape the nation’s policy landscape for years to come.
