Chicago – May 12, 2025
The Washington Post editorial board defended the Trump administration’s decision to issue a detailed report on transgender surgeries for children, a topic that is highly debated among scientists. The Post praised the administration for investigating this issue through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), saying it helped provide important information that is often missing from the debate about transgender medical care for children.
The report was released after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January called “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” The order claimed that some U.S. medical professionals are performing surgeries and treatments on children, arguing that they can change a child’s sex through irreversible medical procedures.
While the editorial board of The Washington Post criticized the language of the order as exaggerated, they supported the idea of having more evidence and discussions about the risks of intervening in the natural growth process of children with gender dysphoria.
The HHS report, the board explained, aligns with other scientific reviews, including those from Britain. It highlighted concerns about the scientific evidence for such treatments and the ethical challenges of making decisions about the sexual development of minors, who may not be mature enough to fully understand the consequences.
The executive order also made it clear that the U.S. government would not fund, support, or promote “transitioning” children from one sex to another.
