President Joe Biden says Texas’ efforts to investigate gender-affirming care is “government overreach at its worst.”
Biden issued a statement Wednesday, accusing Texas officials of launching a “cynical and dangerous campaign targeting transgender children and their parents.”
He added, “The Governor of Texas has directed state officials to open child abuse investigations into families simply because they have provided access to affirming care for their children. This is government overreach at its worst.”
Biden argued that “the Governor’s actions callously threaten to harm children and their families just to score political points.”
The president announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is going to take steps “to keep transgender children in Texas and their families safe — putting the state of Texas on notice that their discriminatory actions put children’s lives at risk.”
His statement continues, “Children, their parents, and their doctors should have the freedom to make the medical decisions that are best for each young person — without politicians getting the way.”
Biden went on to mention remarks he made during his State of the Union address about transgender Americans.
“I’ll always have your back as President so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential,” Biden said.
Read his statement below:
Biden says Texas Gov. Abbott’s anti-trans kids actions are “government overreach at its worst” & “callously threaten to harm children and their families just to score political points.” He adds: “These actions are terrifying many families in Texas and beyond. And they must stop.” pic.twitter.com/CrR8HV41HP
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) March 3, 2022
On Wednesday, a Texas court temporarily halted a child abuse investigation into parents that are providing treatment for their transgender 16-year-old, as The New York Times reported. Still, the court allowed other investigations to continue.
Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered agencies in the state to investigate gender-affirming care as child abuse, as IJR reported.
“Because the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting children from abuse, I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas,” Abbott wrote in a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
