The Justice Department has announced plans to call over 20 doctors and clinics nationwide to provide information on transgender medical treatments for minors.
“The medical professionals and organizations that harm children under the guise of misguided ideological beliefs will be held accountable by this Department of Justice,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondy.
This announcement, which didn’t specify the names of the hospitals or practitioners involved, is part of an ongoing strategy by the Trump administration to restrict access to transition-related medical care for minors.
Authorities are also seeking access to confidential patient records to assess potential legal violations and engage in discussions with healthcare providers regarding gender-affirming treatments.
These actions follow a warning from Bondy three months ago, indicating that clinics and hospitals with suspected cases of “female genital mutilation” in individuals under 18 would be scrutinized.
There haven’t been any formal charges against those providing transgender care; however, in June, the FBI encouraged individuals to report hospitals and doctors who perform surgeries on minors.
Additionally, the Supreme Court made a significant ruling in June, deciding in a 6-3 vote that Tennessee’s ban on transgender blockers and hormone treatments for adolescents was constitutionally permissible.
The Court concluded that this prohibition did not infringe upon the equal protection provisions outlined in the 14th Amendment.
While more than half of U.S. states have instituted similar laws, there remains a lack of federal regulations governing access to transition-related healthcare.
Data referenced by the Supreme Court indicates that a significant number of Americans over the age of 13 identify as transgender.
