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.