President Trump’s Executive Orders: Revoking Gender-Neutral Passports Sparks National Debate
In a flurry of activity since his return to the White House earlier this week, President Donald Trump has signed an unprecedented number of executive orders—over 200—aimed at reshaping federal policies across a broad spectrum of issues. Among these, one of the most controversial and impactful is an order titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This directive has profound implications for non-binary individuals, particularly those who previously benefited from the ability to select an “X” gender marker on their passports, a policy introduced during the Biden administration. The executive order has ignited widespread concern among LGBTQ+ advocates, civil rights organizations, and legal experts, sparking a heated national debate about identity, inclusion, and the role of government in personal recognition.
The Executive Order: Redefining Gender in Federal Documentation
President Trump’s executive order fundamentally alters the federal government’s approach to gender identification. The directive enforces a strict binary definition of gender, recognizing only “male” and “female” as valid categories based on biological sex assigned at birth. This definition extends to all federal documentation, including passports, birth certificates, and other forms of identification. The order explicitly revokes the ability for individuals to select an “X” gender marker—a neutral option that accommodates non-binary, genderqueer, and other gender-diverse identities.