The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking the public to report health care providers and facilities offering gender-affirming care to minors, following a directive aligned with the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on such treatments.
In a post shared Monday on X (formerly Twitter), the agency stated:
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“As the Attorney General has made clear, we will protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of gender-affirming care.”
The post encouraged users to report “hospitals, clinics, or practitioners” performing surgical procedures on children — a practice that is exceedingly rare and, when performed, typically follows extensive mental health evaluation and diagnostic criteria.
What is Gender-Affirming Care?
Gender-affirming care can include:
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Mental health services
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Puberty blockers
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Hormone therapy
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Surgery (rare in minors and typically reserved for severe cases diagnosed with gender dysphoria)
Medical professionals emphasize that gender-affirming medical interventions are not offered lightly and require a thorough, months- or years-long evaluation.
“No one is walking into a visit and then walking out with the hormone prescription that same day,” explained Dr. Angela Kade Goepferd, Medical Director at the Children’s Minnesota Gender Health Program.
“Just to have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, you must experience symptoms or distress for at least six months.”
Many providers say no medical intervention is offered to prepubescent children, and care typically involves family counseling and support.
Political and Legal Backdrop
The move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to curtail access to gender-affirming care for youth.
In his first days back in office, Trump signed an executive order that limits federal support for gender transitions for anyone under age 19.
That order is currently on hold after a federal judge issued a temporary pause in February.
Meanwhile, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has expressed concern about the administration’s aggressive stance.
“We remain committed to protecting the rights of youth — including transgender youth — from discrimination and government overreach,” a spokesperson for Brown’s office said.
Medical Community Response
Despite public perception shaped by political rhetoric, medical professionals continue to defend gender-affirming care as evidence-based and essential for mental health, especially for transgender youth at high risk of depression and suicidal ideation.
A recent study found that gender-affirming hormone therapy significantly reduces depression in transgender adults, suggesting similar long-term benefits for youth who meet strict diagnostic criteria.
Legal Status
While federal law does not currently ban gender-affirming care, several states have imposed restrictions or outright bans on such treatments for minors. However, these laws are being challenged in courts nationwide.
The FBI’s call for public reporting does not constitute a legal change — but it signals federal scrutiny and possible legal consequences for providers in states where such care is now restricted or politically targeted.
As the national debate over transgender rights continues to intensify, this development marks another flashpoint in the ongoing clash between federal authority, state policy, and individual rights.
