Updates Under Trump Administration | Feb 2025
- Alexza Zaragoza & Neha Thomas
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Executive orders signed:
Hyde Amendment
During his 1st week in office, Trump signed an executive order committing to the enforcement of the Hyde Amendment
Hyde Amendment - does not permit federal funds to be used for abortion
Responsibility to provide healthcare access will be left up to the states, thus this will likely lead to a decrease in accessible reproductive health products
This undoes two orders that Biden had signed during his term, which categorized abortion as healthcare and promoted government involvement in promoting healthcare resources related to the matter
During his first week in office, President Trump signed an executive order reaffirming the enforcement of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used for abortion. This decision shifts the responsibility of providing healthcare access to individual states, which is expected to lead to decreased accessibility to reproductive health products and services. The move reverses two executive orders signed by President Biden that had categorized abortion as healthcare and promoted government involvement in ensuring access to reproductive health resources.
2 Sexes (Defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government executive order)
Trump signed an executive order proclaiming that the US will only recognize two sexes (male and female)
Includes “personhood” language defining life as beginning at conception into federal law
Putting personhood language into law criminalizes abortion, and could lead to a ban in stem cell research, assisted reproductive technology, and common forms of birth control
Example: “Female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.
Trump also signed an executive order recognizing only two sexes—male and female—at the federal level, citing the need to "defend women from gender ideology extremism and restore biological truth." This order includes “personhood” language, which defines life as beginning at conception. The legal adoption of this language could criminalize abortion and impact other areas of reproductive healthcare, including stem cell research, assisted reproductive technology, and certain forms of birth control. For instance, the order explicitly defines a female as “a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.”
FACE Act
Trump pardoned anti-abortion protestors who violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act
This act originated in 1994 and was meant to protect abortion clinics and patients from physically blocking or threatening force against patients
Future outlook:
Trump could continue adopting measures to curtail abortion and reproductive healthcare access
Trump pardoned anti-abortion protestors who had violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a 1994 law designed to protect abortion clinics and patients from physical obstruction and threats of force. This decision signals a potential weakening of protections for abortion providers and individuals seeking reproductive healthcare. Moving forward, Trump may continue implementing measures to restrict abortion access and limit reproductive healthcare services.
Cabinet Picks
Several of Trump’s cabinet picks, such as Marco Rubio and Pamela Bondi, are known for their anti-abortion stance
Rubio - former senator who has consistently advocated for a national abortion ban, is now the Secretary of State
Bondi - defended Florida’s abortion restrictions in court, she is now the US Attorney General
Trump’s cabinet picks also reflect his administration's stance on abortion. Marco Rubio, a longtime advocate for a national abortion ban, has been appointed as Secretary of State. Pamela Bondi, who defended Florida’s abortion restrictions in court, is now serving as the U.S. Attorney General. Both figures have a history of supporting anti-abortion policies, further indicating a shift in federal priorities regarding reproductive rights.
Reinstated Global Gag Rule
Decreases abortion access in countries around the world
Defunds health organizations in other countries that provide abortion services or information (including for victims of sexual assault)
Forcing these organizations to stop providing abortion services
On a global scale, Trump reinstated the Global Gag Rule, which reduces abortion access worldwide by defunding health organizations that provide abortion services or even offer information about the procedure. This policy affects healthcare providers, including those assisting victims of sexual assault, by forcing them to discontinue abortion-related services in order to receive U.S. funding.
Rescinded Executive Order 1402: Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council
Signed by Biden in March 2021, the council worked to advance gender equity and equality including reproductive freedom
Trump rescinded Executive Order 1402, which had established the White House Gender Policy Council under Biden’s administration in March 2021. The council worked to advance gender equity and reproductive freedom, and its dissolution marks another rollback of policies aimed at supporting reproductive rights. These actions collectively indicate a significant shift in federal reproductive healthcare policies under the Trump administration.
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