Democratic states sue Trump admin over ending sex change surgeries for minors
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that the administration effectively wants to impose a nationwide ban on sex change procedures by threatening providers with "baseless criminal charges" and investigations.
"The federal government is running a cruel and targeted harassment campaign against providers who offer lawful, lifesaving care to children," New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the coalition of states in the suit, said in a statement.
"This administration is ruthlessly targeting young people who already face immense barriers just to be seen and heard, and are putting countless lives at risk in the process," she added. "In New York and nationwide, we will never stop fighting for the dignity, safety, and basic rights of the transgender community."
The lawsuit names President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Justice Department as defendants. It challenges Trump's Jan. 28 executive order barring government support for sex change operations and treatments and two memos by Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.
Bondi's memo directs the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute those who offer sex change treatments to minors. Shumate's memo directs prosecutors to prioritize investigations against doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies that perform such procedures.
The Justice Department has launched probes into three children's hospitals for allegedly providing such treatments.
"On Day One, President Trump took decisive action to stop the despicable mutilation and chemical castration of children – which everyday Americans resoundingly support," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. "The President has the lawful authority to protect America's vulnerable children through executive action, and the Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue."
In July, Kaiser Permanente announced that it would pause sex change surgeries for patients under 19 beginning Aug. 29 in response to the Trump administration's efforts on the matter. The same month, Children's Hospital Los Angeles shuttered its Center for Transyouth Health and Development, one of the nation's largest clinics for transgender young people.
The Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., also announced that it will no longer provide gender transition-related medical interventions.
"These changes have been touted by Defendants as precisely what was intended by their unlawful and disingenuous targeting: the end of healthcare for transgender individuals under 19," the complaint reads.
Many states have laws restricting or banning sex change surgeries for children. The states named in the lawsuit -- California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. – allow such treatments.
Other nations have pushed back on sex change procedures for children. In March, the United Kingdom banned puberty blockers – a class of drugs that suppresses sex hormones in adolescents by continually stimulating the pituitary gland -- for children seeking treatment for gender dysphoria.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Pam Bondi Escalates Attacks On Obama Officials By Calling For Grand Jury Investigation: Reports
The Justice Department is reportedly probing allegations that Obama officials fabricated evidence of Russian interference during the 2016 election, doubling down on attempts to distract from its controversial handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Per reports from CNN and Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi has called on prosecutors to initiate a grand jury investigation into these claims – a move that could lead to subpoenas of former officials and even potential indictments. A DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Bondi's decision effectively endorses Trump's latest baseless conspiracy theory — which has included accusing Obama of treason — and comes as the administration has struggled to move on from the Epstein debacle. In recent weeks, Trump argued that Obama and his team manipulated intelligence to delegitimize his presidency, pointing to an announcement from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as proof. Gabbard, in July, released files that she says indicate that Obama officials produced a 'contrived narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump win.' She also referred the issue to the DOJ for a criminal investigation ― and suggested that these actions were effectively a 'coup.' Gabbard's interpretation distorts past conclusions drawn by members of the intelligence community, who determined that Russia fielded an influence campaign to damage former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and boost Trump. That finding was also backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the Senate Intelligence Committee – including now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While Gabbard's files provide new information, they don't negate prior findings that Russia sought to influence U.S. voters during the 2016 election, NPR reports. Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush has dismissed Trump's accusations as a 'ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction' as well. 'Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes,' Rodenbush said in July. Related... Sen. Graham Calls For 'Investigation' Into Obama — Playing Into Trump's Epstein Distraction Obama Team Issues Rare Rebuttal To Continued Trump Nonsense Trump Renews Lie That Russia Did Not Help Him In 2016, This Time With Gabbard's Help
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
MTG urges Donald Trump to commute George Santos' prison sentence
Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling on the Trump administration to commute the sentence of former Congressman George Santos, who was sentenced to seven years in prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft. 'George Santos has taken responsibility,' Greene wrote on X, sharing a letter she sent to the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney. 'He's shown remorse. It's time to correct this injustice.' 'I wholeheartedly believe in justice and the rule of the law, and I understand the gravity of such actions,' the letter reads. 'However, I believe a seven-year sentence for such campaign-related matters for an individual with no prior criminal record extends far beyond what is warranted.' Greene claimed Santos, who has sold Cameo videos speaking to fans and hosted a podcast playing on his reputation called Pants on Fire, was 'sincerely remorseful and has accepted full responsibility for his actions.' In April, Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and identity theft after pleading guilty last year and agreeing to nearly $374,000 in restitution payments. The following month, the former New York representative, who prosecutors accused of pocketing thousands of dollars in donor funds, appealed to the president for a full pardon. 'Previously, I was not entertaining a pardon because I didn't know what my judgment would be. Now, I am in the process of filling an application to a pardon for the president. I'll take a commutation, a clemency, whatever the president is willing to give me,' Santos said in an interview with Piers Morgan. 'I do believe this is an unfair judgment handed down to me,' he added. 'There was a lot of politicization over the process.' Santos, 37, is now in custody at a federal prison in Fairton, New Jersey. He was expelled from Congress in December 2023, following the release of a damning ethics report. He shared a goodbye post on X before entering prison thanking his allies and critics alike. 'Well, darlings…The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,' he wrote. 'From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it's been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days.' Santos was charged with 23 felony counts for three alleged schemes to use donor money and government assistance funds to enrich himself while running for Congress. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Republican, who was elected in 2022, also grabbed headlines for exaggerating details about his education and work experience, as well as his mother's whereabouts during 9/11 and his Jewish heritage. Greene has sought presidential intervention for controversial figures before. In May, she asked the president to pardon Derek Chauvin, the then-Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd in a widely seen 2020 incident that set off national protests.
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Taiwan Collaborates with USA to Promote Wellness through ‘Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025'
LOS ANGELES, August 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Taiwan has taken a bold step in driving regional wellness innovation with the launch of the '2025 Go Healthy with Taiwan' campaign in USA. Spearheaded by the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and executed by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), this campaign encourages US public institutions, enterprises, and SMEs to propose pioneering ways to apply Taiwan's health-focused technologies to local community needs. The campaign is structured as an open call for proposals across three strategic sectors: Fitness & Sports Technology, Cycling, and Smart Healthcare. Participants will vie for three US$30,000 cash prizes, awarded to the most impactful and innovative proposals. In addition, the top six teams will be invited to Taiwan for an exclusive "Go Healthy Tour"—a curated, immersive experience offering direct access to Taiwan's dynamic health technology ecosystem. This tour will feature hands-on demonstrations, site visits, and networking opportunities with leading Taiwanese companies, enabling participants to explore collaboration, product integration, and market expansion opportunities firsthand. "The response in USA has been extraordinary," said Ms. Yolanda Pi, Director of Taiwan Trade Center, Los Angeles. "Through this campaign, we are fostering deep, cross-border collaboration that empowers US communities with Taiwan's most innovative wellness solutions—setting a new benchmark for healthier societies in the world." Sectoral Focus Areas: Fitness & Sports Technology: From AI-enabled training systems to connected workout equipment, Taiwan's smart fitness innovations are designed to boost personal and population-wide wellness outcomes. Cycling: As a global manufacturing hub for high-performance bicycles and a leader in urban cycling infrastructure, Taiwan champions cycling as a sustainable, health-positive mode of transport. Smart Healthcare: Taiwan's Medtech sector offers advanced diagnostic platforms, telemedicine capabilities, and wearable technologies that are reshaping healthcare delivery and preventive care models. Participation is made simple via the SurveyCake platform, designed for ease of submission. Detailed guidelines and case examples—such as Acer's wearable health monitors already adopted by leading hospitals worldwide—are available on the official campaign website to support proposal development. Proposal Deadline: August 14, 2025 Campaign Website: Join Taiwan in creating a healthier, more resilient future—through innovation, collaboration, and shared purpose. Video Link: 2025 Go Healthy with Taiwan: Official Launch of Global Call for Proposals｜Taiwan Excellence About Organizers Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), established by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, is entrusted with planning trade policies, engaging in international cooperation, and promoting economic agreements. Responsibilities include trade barrier removal, data analysis, import-export administration, and addressing trade disputes. The Administration's comprehensive role spans trade promotion, MICE industry development, and managing commodity classification. It conducts investigations on import relief and anti-dumping cases, addressing diverse facets of international trade, making it a pivotal entity in Taiwan's global economic engagement. Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the leading non-profit, semi-governmental trade promotion organization in Taiwan. It was founded in 1970 with the aim of promoting foreign trade, and is jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organizations. The organization has a well-coordinated trade promotion and information network, which consists of over 1,200 trained specialists stationed throughout its Taipei headquarters and 60 branches worldwide. In conjunction with its sister organizations, the Taiwan Trade Center (TTC) and Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), TAITRA has created a wealth of trade opportunities through effective promotion strategies. Please visit: View source version on Contacts Campaign Contact: Wen-Cheng Li, DirectorStrategic Marketing Department, TAITRA+886-2-2725-5200, ext.1300 brianlee@ Sign in to access your portfolio
