With Republicans set to control both chambers of Congress, President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to undoing policies related to transgender rights and identity, emphasizing his intent to take swift action from day one of his second term.
Speaking at the Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump reiterated his controversial stance on gender and transgender issues, particularly targeting what he referred to as “transgender lunacy.”
“I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our schools,” Trump declared.
He also vowed to implement policies that would ban transgender individuals from participating in women’s sports, stating that “there are only two genders, male and female,” and that this would be the official stance of the U.S. government.
Trump’s remarks, delivered in a state he won by a wide margin in the 2024 election, extended beyond gender issues, focusing on immigration, drug cartels, and international relations.
He promised immediate measures against “migrant crime,” vowed to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and reiterated his previous call to restore U.S. control of the Panama Canal, a key trade route.
In a speech that sounded like a victory lap, Trump laid out expansive promises for his second term, positioning his administration as the antidote to what he described as “four long, horrible years of failure” under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” he declared.
Turning his attention to international affairs, Trump promised to “end the war in Ukraine” and bring peace to the Middle East, although he did not elaborate on how he plans to achieve these goals.
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He also revisited his grievances regarding the Panama Canal, criticizing the Panamanian government’s management of the waterway and demanding its return to U.S. control if certain terms of the 1970s treaty were violated.
Additionally, Trump reasserted his plans to launch “the largest deportation operation in American history” once in office.
He also vowed to take action against drug cartels, stating that they would be dismantled and designated as foreign terrorist organizations, a move he previously considered during his first term but postponed after pressure from Mexico’s president.
The remarks highlighted the sharp political divide over issues like transgender rights and immigration, as well as Trump’s ongoing vision for U.S. foreign policy and domestic law enforcement.
As he prepares to take office in 2025, Trump’s bold promises reflect his commitment to implementing his conservative agenda while facing significant challenges both at home and abroad.