Trump’s New Prison Rule Sparks Nationwide Uproar — Transgender Inmates Caught in the Middle

A recent policy directive attributed to former President Trump has sparked intense national debate over how transgender inmates should be housed in federal prisons. The proposal centers on placing inmates based on biological sex rather than gender identity, a shift that would directly affect thousands of transgender people currently in custody.

Supporters argue that the policy is meant to address concerns around safety, privacy, and facility security—particularly for cisgender female inmates. Critics, however, warn that such a change could increase the risk of violence, discrimination, and psychological harm for transgender inmates, many of whom already face elevated levels of harassment behind bars.

The directive also includes restrictions on gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapy, which medical experts say is essential for managing gender dysphoria. Federal judges have since blocked portions of the policy, questioning its constitutionality and the potential harm it could cause. As legal challenges continue, the Bureau of Prisons has paused implementation, leaving the future of the directive uncertain.