Trump to sign orders ending DEI programs: 'There are only two genders, male and female'

Upon taking office, President-elect Donald Trump plans to sign executive orders that will significantly reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

An incoming White House official told Reuters on Monday that the US federal government will officially recognize only two genders, male and female, under Trump’s administration.

Further actions regarding DEI programs are expected "very soon," according to the official, who added that the new administration intends to review and potentially eliminate what it considers "discriminatory programs," such as environmental justice grants and diversity training.

'Only two genders, male and female'

During his inauguration speech, President Trump said on Monday:

The announcement coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which honors the civil rights leader’s legacy

While some corporations have scaled back DEI programs in recent months, companies like Costco and Apple have maintained their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

As part of the executive orders, federal funds will no longer support what the official termed "gender ideology," a controversial term used by conservatives to criticize non-traditional views on sex and gender.

Additionally, funding for gender transition medical procedures will be prohibited.

This issue has sparked intense debate, particularly surrounding transgender rights, which have become a political flashpoint, especially regarding transgender women’s participation in sports.

At a pre-inauguration rally on Sunday, Trump pledged to take action to "keep all men out of women's sports" and promised to restrict gender-affirming care.

It remains unclear how the executive orders will impact the US military, particularly regarding transgender service members.

During his first term, Trump attempted to ban transgender troops from serving, a policy that President Joe Biden reversed in 2021.

The executive orders on DEI and gender-related issues are part of a broader set of measures that Trump’s administration plans to implement on issues ranging from immigration to energy, as outlined by incoming White House officials on Monday.