California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, leading a coalition of states in challenging federal efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender, intersex, and nonbinary youth. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and contests recent actions by the federal government, including President Trump’s Executive Order 14187 and directives from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “The President and his Administration’s relentless attacks on gender-affirming care endanger already vulnerable adolescents whose health and well-being are at risk; their demands that our healthcare providers discriminate against transgender individuals and deny them access to medically-necessary healthcare is cruel and irresponsible. The Trump Administration’s unlawful threats have not only undermined State rights but have directly contributed to diminishing access to gender-affirming care. These actions have created a chilling effect in which providers are pressured to scale back on their care for fear of prosecution, leaving countless individuals without the critical care they need and are entitled to under law. Today’s lawsuit aims to address the root cause of this problem and hold the Trump Administration accountable, ensuring that we continue to safeguard and uphold the healthcare rights and freedoms of our transgender community.”
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order limiting federal recognition of gender identity by defining only two sexes. Executive Order 14187 was later issued with specific focus on restricting medical treatments for those under 19 years old—even though some states recognize 18-year-olds as adults—and called such treatments “chemical and surgical mutilation.” It directed enforcement actions from federal agencies against providers offering these services.
Following this directive, memoranda from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (April 22) and Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate (June 11) instructed Department of Justice staff to prioritize investigations into doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or other entities providing gender-affirming care for alleged violations unrelated to standard medical practices.
On July 9, a press release from DOJ announced over 20 subpoenas had been issued targeting clinics providing gender-affirming care. In that release, Attorney General Bondi said: “[m]edical professionals and organizations that mutilated children in the service of a warped ideology will be held accountable by this Department of Justice,” signaling possible prosecution based on statutes not typically associated with medical treatment.
According to California officials involved in the suit, these actions have led some healthcare providers within California—where such care is protected—to reduce or eliminate services due to concerns about legal repercussions or loss of licensure. Patients have reported canceled appointments amid confusion about ongoing access.
The lawsuit argues that implementation of Executive Order 14187 unlawfully undermines state authority over healthcare regulation by intimidating providers through threats unrelated to state law or legitimate federal oversight. California law protects access to medically necessary gender-affirming care as part of its anti-discrimination policies concerning gender identity or expression.
Major national medical associations agree that denying appropriate gender-affirming treatment can worsen mental health outcomes among affected youth—including higher rates of depression or suicidal ideation—further supporting claims made by California officials about risks associated with these federal restrictions.
The attorneys general maintain that these recent federal measures violate constitutional protections while exceeding proper limits on executive power. They seek court intervention blocking enforcement efforts tied specifically to Executive Order 14187.
Joining California in filing were attorneys general from New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut; Delaware; Hawai’i; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; Rhode Island; Wisconsin; Washington D.C.; as well as Pennsylvania’s governor.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
