Potential Executive Order on Parental Rights

Sources indicate that the White House is considering an executive order aimed at preventing Child Protective Services (CPS) from removing children from their parents who do not accept their child’s declared gender identity. This comes amid growing concerns among certain groups about parental rights in relation to gender identity issues.

A coalition, spearheaded by parental rights advocate Erin Friday, has engaged with the Domestic Policy Council to discuss the specifics of an order that would protect parents from the risk of losing custody due to differing views on their child’s transgender identity.

The coalition has submitted detailed proposals for this executive order and is urging the president to act without delay. Furthermore, they’re attempting to rally congressional support for hearings featuring parents who have allegedly lost custody due to gender ideology, alongside advocating for legislation resembling the proposed executive directive.

Although Trump did sign an executive order in November regarding foster youth transitioning to adulthood, it did not address the placement of children in foster care based on gender identity or repercussions for foster parents based on their views of biological sex, according to Friday.

The group is looking for a directive that, among other things, upholds the First Amendment rights of parents to raise their children in ways that align with their religious beliefs. They also want to eliminate any regulations that disadvantage parents who recognize their child’s biological sex, cut federal funds for removing children when parents don’t consent to transgender medical procedures, and reduce funding for organizations that assist in concealing a child’s gender identity from parents.

Additionally, they are calling on Health and Human Services (HHS) to retrieve children taken from parents who refuse to support their child’s transition. Instead, they propose that HHS allocate resources toward training and guidelines consistent with affirming biological sex.

A year ago, Friday had consulted with a Trump administration official regarding an executive order to deter parents from losing their children to “transgender sanctuary states.” Some states have laws preventing the return of children who seek transgender medical care after leaving their home states.

Friday and other activists have worked to challenge the Biden administration’s 2023 foster care rule, which deems it “mistreatment” for foster parents not to affirm a child’s LGBTQ identity.

The status of the potential executive order that would prevent parental loss of custody over gender identity matters remains uncertain, and the White House has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this issue.

In a personal account, Friday recounted her experience when CPS intervened after she refused to use her daughter’s chosen male name and pronouns. After about a year and a half, she managed to help her daughter align with her biological sex.

Now, she often receives calls from desperate parents asking for guidance on regaining custody after siding with their child’s biological sex. She advises those facing CPS investigations to leave, sometimes even in the dead of night, fearing they could lose their children entirely.

“I’ve had families relocate back to Poland,” she noted, indicating that parents feel compelled to flee to protect their rights. Some transgender-identifying minors in conservative states often escape to liberal ones, where CPS does not return them to their families. This, Friday argues, necessitates federal intervention to prevent family separations nationwide.

“This situation transcends political lines,” Friday remarked. “It’s not about party affiliation; it’s about parents losing their children.”

Trump has made several moves aimed at safeguarding children from irreversible transgender medical treatments. Last January, he signed an executive order prohibiting federal funds for what is described as “transitioning” minors, and HHS has proposed new regulations banning sex-change procedures for minors in participating hospitals.

While Friday praises Trump’s initiatives, she believes that executive action is crucial since taxpayer money is still being used to facilitate family separations. Many parents deplete their finances trying to regain custody, while others fear repercussions that could label them as abusive for not accepting their child’s transition.

“The system is fundamentally flawed, and since this is a matter affecting multiple states, it cannot be adequately addressed at the state level,” she concluded.