Justice Department targets doctors providing sex change procedures to minors

In the United States, the Justice Department, under the Trump administration, has undertaken a significant initiative by issuing more than 20 subpoenas to medical professionals and clinics that provide gender-affirming care to minors. This move, announced on July 9, 2025, is part of a broader investigation into healthcare fraud and false statements, aiming to hold accountable those who are alleged to have performed unnecessary medical procedures on young patients. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that medical professionals involved in what she termed the 'mutilation' of children will face justice under the law. The subpoenas represent a continuation of the Trump administration's controversial stance on transgender healthcare, particularly for minors. In April 2025, Bondi highlighted the DOJ's commitment to investigate all suspected cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) painted under the guise of gender-affirming care. She mandated that U.S. attorneys actively pursue prosecution for FGM offenses, further intensifying the scrutiny of medical practices involving transgender children. Additionally, this initiative aligns with an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump during the early days of his second term, which barred federal support or funding for sex change procedures involving minors. In that order, Trump expressed concerns over children's medical decisions regarding their sex and decried the irreversible interventions occurring under what he labeled a 'dangerous trend.' This perspective reflects a significant departure from the views held by various leading medical professionals and organizations, which argue for the necessity of gender-affirming care for the psychological well-being of transgender adolescents. On the same day as the subpoena announcements, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a workshop discussing the potential dangers of gender-affirming care for minors. Officials within the FTC have indicated their commitment to addressing deceptive medical practices, especially concerning treatments for transgender youth. This sets a contentious tone within the ongoing dialogue surrounding the regulation of transgender healthcare, amid increasing backlash from both conservative lawmakers and advocates of LGBTQ rights as a result of the administration's actions. As controversies proliferate, the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a Tennessee law restricting certain medical treatments for transgender adolescents, framing the ongoing legal and social debates surrounding transgender rights and healthcare access. Amid the polarized views on the matter, support for gender-affirming care persists from major medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, arguing for the benefits of such treatments. The initiatives undertaken by the DOJ, however, have prompted concern among advocacy groups about the impact on the health and rights of transgender youth. Legal battles are likely to continue as various states navigate legislators' decisions regarding healthcare for minors, amplifying the urgency and complexity of the discussions around medical interventions for transgender individuals.