Three Democratic states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order that halts federal funding for gender-affirming care for transgender individuals under 19. The lawsuit, filed by Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown in the Western District of Washington, includes the attorneys general of Oregon and Minnesota, as well as three doctors, as plaintiffs. They argue that the order discriminates against transgender people and violates equal rights protections, the separation of powers, and states' rights to regulate areas not specifically delegated to the federal government.

President Donald Trump signed the executive order last month, directing federally run insurance programs like Medicaid and TRICARE to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care. The order also calls on the Department of Justice to pursue litigation and legislation to oppose such care. Medicaid programs in some states currently cover gender-affirming care, but the new order threatens to end this practice and targets hospitals and universities that receive federal funding and provide the care.

Attorney General Brown stated, "That order poses an immediate threat to young people all across Washington state and to the medical professionals in Washington who provide much-needed health care."

The lawsuit follows a separate legal action filed by families with transgender or nonbinary children in a Baltimore federal court earlier this week.

While these legal battles unfold, some providers have paused gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Meanwhile, officials in New York have instructed hospitals that halting these services would violate the law. President Trump's administration has also issued orders affecting transgender individuals in other areas, including military service and participation in sports.

The Afternoon News with Kitty O'Neal