President Trump is Protecting America’s Children
March 4, 2025
Action Summary
- Protecting Children: President Trump’s actions focus on securing a healthy and productive upbringing by reversing policies from the Biden Administration deemed harmful to America’s youth.
- Sex Definition Policy: Establishment of the official policy that recognizes only two sexes.
- Sports Competitiveness: Ended the mandate requiring women to compete against men, leading the NCAA to revise its rules.
- Education Oversight: The Department of Education initiated investigations into regional athletic organizations for non-compliance with new policies.
- Healthcare Reforms: Implementation of the “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” executive order that prompted major health systems nationwide to halt or downsize sex change and transgender-related procedures for minors.
- Institutional Actions:
- Illinois: Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital paused sex-change surgeries for patients under 19.
- Colorado: Denver Health and UCHealth ceased gender-affirming procedures for minors.
- Washington, D.C.: Multiple hospitals paused puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and related care for minors.
- Virginia: VCU Health, Children’s Hospital of Richmond, and UVA Health suspended transgender-related services for minors.
- Ideology Directive: Efforts to eliminate what is described as radical “gender ideology” and “equity ideology,” reinforcing parental rights.
- Vaccine Mandate Ban: Prohibition on COVID-19 vaccine mandates in schools that receive federal funding.
Risks & Considerations
- The executive order’s emphasis on defining only two sexes and ending support for “gender ideology” could lead to significant changes in how gender and sex are addressed in educational and healthcare settings. This may impact Vanderbilt’s policies and programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- The ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates in federally funded schools could affect public health strategies and policies at educational institutions, including Vanderbilt, especially if similar policies are considered for higher education.
- Investigations into compliance with federal policies by educational bodies like the NCAA may lead to changes in sports regulations and participation, potentially affecting student-athletes at Vanderbilt.
- The suspension of gender-affirming care for minors in various states could impact Vanderbilt’s medical programs and partnerships, particularly those focused on pediatric care and transgender health.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center may need to reassess its policies and practices regarding transgender healthcare for minors, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Peabody College of Education and Human Development might experience increased demand for research and expertise in gender studies and educational policy, particularly in response to changes in federal policies.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion may need to evaluate and potentially adjust its initiatives to align with new federal guidelines on gender and equity ideologies.
- Vanderbilt Athletics could be affected by changes in NCAA rules regarding gender and sports, necessitating adjustments in team compositions and participation policies.
Financial Impact
- Changes in federal funding policies, particularly those related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, could impact financial planning and resource allocation at Vanderbilt.
- Potential shifts in healthcare policies may affect funding and grants related to transgender health research and services, impacting Vanderbilt’s medical research initiatives.
- Vanderbilt may need to consider the financial implications of adjusting its programs and policies to comply with new federal regulations, particularly in areas related to gender and diversity.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order presents high risks involving major transformations in policies and programs related to gender, healthcare, and education.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center should review its policies and practices regarding gender-affirming care for minors in light of the national trend of pausing or ending such services. This review should ensure compliance with federal guidelines and assess the potential impact on patient care and community relations.
- The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to the Department of Education’s investigations into compliance with federal policies on gender and sports. Understanding these changes will be crucial for aligning Vanderbilt’s policies with federal expectations and maintaining eligibility for federal funding.
- Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing should consider the implications of the executive order banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates in federally funded schools. This may affect public health strategies and educational outreach programs related to vaccination.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion should evaluate the impact of changes in federal support for “gender ideology” and “equity ideology” on campus programs and initiatives. This evaluation will help ensure that Vanderbilt’s diversity and inclusion efforts remain effective and compliant with federal policies.
Opportunities
- The executive order provides an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to engage in research on the impacts of federal policies on gender and sports. By contributing to the academic discourse, Peabody can influence policy development and support evidence-based practices.
- Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in public health to develop educational programs that address the implications of the ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates. These programs can enhance community understanding and support public health initiatives.
- The focus on protecting parents’ rights presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to explore legal research and advocacy related to parental rights in education and healthcare. This can position the university as a leader in legal scholarship on these emerging issues.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with federal policies and explore new research opportunities.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Immediate action was taken upon issuance of the directives.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Education: This agency is directly impacted by the order, as it is tasked with launching investigations into compliance issues with school sports organizations and ensuring that federally funded schools abide by the new mandates—including the ban on COVID‑19 vaccine requirements.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only one primary government agency is directly affected.)
Responsible Officials
- Department of Education (Office of the Secretary) – Tasked with launching investigations into non-compliant educational and interscholastic organizations as part of enforcing the directives, including the prohibition of policies that conflict with the executive order.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives issued by the President affect high-level, Cabinet-related agency heads and have broad national significance.)