President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday made bold promises for his first day in office, vowing to “stop the transgender lunacy” and take sweeping actions against LGBTQ rights as Republicans prepare to control both chambers of Congress and the White House.
Speaking at an event for young conservatives in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump laid out his plans for a second term, which include a series of executive orders to ban “child sexual mutilation,” remove transgender individuals from the military, and implement policies restricting transgender access in schools.
“I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools,” Trump declared. He also promised to keep “men out of women’s sports” and affirmed that “it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
Under the Trump administration, it will be the official policy of the United States Government that there are only two genders: MALE and FEMALE. pic.twitter.com/aAYz53twXM
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 22, 2024
The remarks reflect the ongoing battle over transgender rights in the U.S., with states controlled by Democrats and Republicans moving in opposite directions on policies related to gender-affirming care and the inclusion of transgender individuals in sports and public education. Last week, Congress approved a provision in its defence budget to block some funding for gender-affirming care for the transgender children of military service members.
Trump’s speech also included additional promises for his second term, including immediate action on “migrant crime,” a push to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, and the restoration of U.S. control over the Panama Canal.
His comments painted a grim picture of the preceding four years under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he defeated in the 2024 election.
“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, and national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump said during his speech.
He further pledged to end the war in Ukraine, bring stability to the Middle East, and prevent the outbreak of World War III.
“The golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded, emphasizing his vision for the country’s future.
