Donald Trump has initiated changes to U.S. government policies on gender and diversity, fulfilling promises from his campaign.
“Starting today, it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: Male and Female,” Trump declared in his inaugural address.
The administration announced plans for an executive order on Monday to formally recognize only two sexes—male and female—and to establish that these cannot be altered.
This move aligns with Trump’s broader campaign to challenge what conservatives label as “woke” culture, specifically targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
An official stated the executive order would eliminate DEI initiatives within the federal government, cutting funding across all agencies and reviewing offices renamed due to such programs.
The administration did not clarify if the policy would extend to private businesses, with an official advising companies to “wait and see.”
Some major corporations, including McDonald’s, Walmart, and Meta, have already scaled back their DEI programs since Trump’s election. Others, like Apple, Target, and Costco, have defended their initiatives.
Supporters of DEI argue these programs address ongoing discrimination based on race, sexuality, and other factors, gaining renewed importance after the 2020 racial justice protests following George Floyd’s murder.
