On his first day back in the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order recognizing only two genders—male and female—at the federal level.
The order, described by his administration as a “common sense” measure, eliminates federal funding and recognition of gender identities beyond this binary classification.
In his inaugural speech, Trump declared that the official policy of the U.S. government would define gender based on reproductive roles, specifically whether an individual is born with eggs or sperm. The directive mandates sex-based segregation in federal facilities, including prisons and shelters, and impacts federal documents such as passports. It also prohibits government workplaces from requiring the use of preferred pronouns for transgender individuals, citing First Amendment rights.
A second executive order signed by Trump targets Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, ending their federal funding. His administration will conduct monthly reviews to determine whether remaining DEI initiatives should be dismantled.
At a pre-inauguration rally, Trump also pledged to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports. These moves undo key elements of an order signed by former President Joe Biden on his first day in office four years ago.
Civil rights organizations have vowed to challenge the orders in court, with advocacy groups promising to fight for transgender rights nationwide.
