Donald Trump, after being sworn into office, signed a series of executive orders, including one declaring that the United States will officially recognize only two sexes: “male” and “female.”
According to Reuters, the executive order specifies that sex is “unchangeable” and mandates government agencies to use the term “sex” instead of “gender.” It also requires official documents such as passports and visas to reflect a person’s biological sex as either “male” or “female.”
In his inaugural address on January 20, Trump reiterated his position, stating, “There are only two genders, male and female,” and pledged to end what he described as “government efforts to socially engineer race and gender into public and private life.”
Other executive orders signed by Trump include measures to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, revoke birthright citizenship (which guarantees citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil), withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization, and issue pardons for those convicted in connection with the events of January 6, 2021.
Trump’s inauguration sparked widespread protests, with thousands gathering in Washington, D.C., to defend abortion rights and access to transgender healthcare.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, condemned the executive orders in a statement, saying: “The incoming administration is trying to divide our communities in the hope that we forget what makes us strong. But we refuse to back down or be intimidated. We will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we’ve got.”
During Trump’s first term (2017–2021), he signed 220 executive orders, including controversial actions like the travel ban targeting individuals from several majority-Muslim countries.
Joe Biden, during his presidency, issued 160 executive orders, many of which reversed Trump’s policies, such as rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement. However, Trump has now overturned 78 of Biden’s orders, including withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement once again. He is also expected to reinstate his previous ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.