Trump’s ‘revolution of common sense’ is already decimating trans rights

ANALYSIS: In one of his first executive orders, the new president called for the erasure of federal recognition of trans people

Today U.S. president Donald Trump made one of his first actions decimating the rights of trans people, following an inauguration speech where he also called for  “the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense.”

On Monday, Trump signed an executive order focusing on “defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government.”

The order will erase federal legal recognition of trans people and establish binary definitions of sex as “male” and “female.” It also states that government ID, including passports and personnel records, must reflect “biological reality”—whatever that means—rather than what the order calls “self-assessed gender identity.” Trans women will explicitly no longer be housed in women’s prisons, and the order will cut federal funding for gender-affirming care for incarcerated trans people.

Senior editor Mel Woods breaks down the degree to which Trump has created this divide between his “revolution of common sense” and LGBTQ2S+ people.

Senior editor Mel Woods is an English-speaking Vancouver-based writer, editor and audio producer and a former associate editor with HuffPost Canada. A proud prairie queer and ranch dressing expert, their work has also appeared in Vice, Slate, the Tyee, the CBC, the Globe and Mail and the Walrus.

Keep Reading

5 things to know about Jonathan Pedneault

What you need to know about Canada’s only openly queer federal political party leader

2025 Canadian federal election: What you need to know

From how and when to register to vote, to the big narratives we’re watching

Carney cabinet cuts Minister for Women and Gender Equality

ANALYSIS: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet is down several roles focused on diversity, equity and inclusion

Where does Mark Carney stand on queer and trans issues?

ANALYSIS: The new Liberal leader and prime minister-designate should affirm his party’s stance before going toe to toe with Pierre Poilievre