Trump Calls For Permanent Ban On Sex Change, Declares War Against ‘Wokeness’

Donald Trump has urged the United States Congress to "permanently ban and criminalise sex change on children" as part of his wider campaign to eradicate "wokeness"-defined as awareness of social injustice and discrimination-from civil society and the military.

In a joint address on Tuesday evening (local time), Trump continued his attacks on sexual diversity in schools, workplaces, and the armed forces.

His remarks built upon his earlier January declaration that the "US will recognise only two genders" and his frequent criticism of transgender individuals and gender-affirming care for minors.

"I want Congress to pass a bill permanently banning and criminalising sex changes on children... and forever ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body. This is a big lie and our message to every child in America is, 'you are perfect exactly the way God made you'."

He further declared: "Because we are getting wokeness out of our schools and out of our military... and it's already out and it is out of our society. We don't want it. Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It's gone and we feel so much better for it, don't we? Don't we feel better?" He added, "Our service members won't be activists and ideologues. They will be warriors. They will fight for our country."

During what was described as a lengthy and disjointed address, Trump also asserted that he had "removed the poison of critical race theory" from public schools. He was referring to an academic framework that examines how racial bias is structurally embedded in social, legal, and economic institutions.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been a major point of contention during Trump's second administration, with several states having already banned its teaching.

Opponents argue that CRT unfairly portrays all white people as oppressors. However, scholars have clarified that CRT does not assign blame to individuals or groups but instead highlights the broader societal responsibility to address historical injustices.

Trump's speech included several contentious statements, including his vow to end the "tyranny" of diversity and inclusion programmes.

He also addressed trade policies, referencing the tariff war his administration has initiated. He specifically mentioned India in this context, stating: "Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades now. On an average, many nations... India, Mexico and Canada, they charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them."

"This situation is not fair to the US. So from April 2, reciprocal tariffs kick in. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them," he announced, receiving enthusiastic applause from Republican Congress members.

Experts have cautioned that escalating tariff disputes could hinder US economic growth and contribute to rising inflation.