Fact Check: "Trump's orders could erase non-binary gender pronouns from federal documents."
What We Know
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" (Executive Order 14168). This order mandates that federal agencies recognize only two sexes—male and female—based on biological classification at conception. It explicitly states that the term "gender" should be replaced with "sex" in all federal documents and communications (Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And ..., Executive Order 14168).
The order also requires agencies to remove any materials that promote "gender ideology" and prohibits the use of non-binary gender pronouns in federal documentation (Executive Order 14168). This means that federal forms and communications will no longer accommodate non-binary identities, effectively erasing them from official recognition.
Analysis
The executive order's language is clear in its intention to eliminate recognition of gender identities beyond the male-female binary. It defines "sex" as immutable and grounded in biological reality, while dismissing concepts of gender identity as "gender ideology" that undermines the biological categories of male and female (Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And ...).
The reliability of the sources is high, as the executive order is an official government document, and its implications have been discussed in various reputable outlets (Executive Order 14168, Identity Document Guidance for Transgender, Nonbinary, ...). However, the framing of the order has been criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that it promotes discrimination against transgender and non-binary individuals (Identity Document Guidance for Transgender, Nonbinary, ...).
The order has faced legal challenges, indicating that its implementation may be contested in courts. Temporary restraining orders have been issued to suspend certain provisions, such as the prohibition of gender self-identification on federal documents (Executive Order 14168). Nevertheless, the order's explicit directives suggest a clear intention to erase non-binary gender recognition from federal documents.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump's orders could erase non-binary gender pronouns from federal documents is accurate. The executive order explicitly mandates the use of only male and female classifications, thereby eliminating recognition of non-binary identities in federal documentation. The order's language and directives support this conclusion, despite ongoing legal challenges that may affect its implementation.
