President Donald Trump is set to sign executive orders on Monday that will mark significant shifts in federal policy. The orders will roll back protections for transgender individuals and terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government, in line with Trump's campaign promises.
One of the orders will assert that the federal government recognizes only two immutable sexes: male and female, based on whether individuals are born with eggs or sperm. This change is framed as a measure to protect women from what is described as 'gender extremism.'
The order will eliminate the recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility and mandate the segregation of federal prisons, shelters for migrants, and facilities for rape victims based on sex as defined in the order. It will also prohibit the use of federal funds for 'transition services,' impacting treatments like gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy.
Additionally, the order will block requirements at government facilities and workplaces that mandate the use of specific pronouns for transgender individuals, citing First Amendment rights.
While the order does not impose nationwide mandates on bathroom use or sports participation for transgender individuals, it is expected to face legal challenges from civil rights groups.
Another order aims to halt DEI programs in federal agencies, a move that has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that such programs violate the Constitution by using preferences based on race, gender, and sexual orientation.
The decision to deliver the order on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is seen as an attempt to emphasize the idea of judging individuals based on character rather than skin color.
Opponents of the orders, including civil rights advocates, view them as regressive steps that undermine decades of progress in civil and human rights. DEI programs were established to create equitable environments in businesses and schools, particularly for historically marginalized communities.
Since the 2024 election, several major corporations, such as Walmart, McDonald's, and Meta, have already begun scaling back their diversity policies.
