Washington, D.C. — Today, Politico reported that President Donald Trump intends to sign on Thursday an executive order that would legalize broad discrimination against LGBT people and jeopardize women’s access to health services. Media reports indicate that the language of the order is based on, and highly similar to, a document leaked in February that was tabled after it was widely condemned by LGBT advocates and faith leaders. Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President for External Affairs at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
If media reports are accurate, President Trump is—once again—on the verge of signing an executive order to sanction sweeping taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people, women, and their families in blatant violation of Trump’s promise to protect our LGBT citizens. If the executive order is anything like the draft leaked in February, it would give for-profit corporations free rein to discriminate, leading to LGBT people and women being fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, or even denied medical care simply because of who they are.
The Trump administration is attempting to disguise this attack in the language of religious liberty, but CAP sees this for what it is: a license to discriminate. The Trump administration spent its first 100 days relentlessly targeting Muslim Americans and would be issuing this order over the objections of hundreds of pro-equality faith leaders across the country. The administration’s supposed commitment to religious freedom couldn’t be more transparent. Such an act would define Trump as the most anti-LGBT president in history. This executive order is cruel, it is contrary to American values, and if signed, it will be met with fierce opposition from faith leaders, the business community, and the American people—including the very taxpayers whose dollars this order would direct to discrimination they do not support.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Tom Caiazza at [email protected] or 202.481.7141.