Joe Biden is being accused of abandoning transgender individuals in the days leading up to the conclusion of his time in office.During his 2021 State of the Union, Biden spoke directly to transgender people in America saying "your president has your back," and made similar comments throughout his time in office.With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office after a campaign marked by attacks on transgender individuals, concerns have grown that President Biden's efforts may not have been sufficient to protect them from the challenges that lie ahead.Biden and Democrats face mounting challenges over their stance on transgender rights, as Republicans leveraged Democratic support for the trans community to reclaim the White House and Congress.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who largely avoided discussing transgender issues during her campaign, became a focal point for Trump's campaign.
Republicans repeatedly cited her past comments to argue she prioritized trans rights over economic concerns, aiming to sway swing voters.In his final full month in office, Biden abandoned plans to implement protections for transgender student-athletes.
Additionally, he signed legislation that included provisions eliminating coverage for transgender medical treatments for the children of military service members.Biden's actions align with a common tactic used by outgoing administrations to finalize policies or abandon pending regulations, limiting the incoming president's ability to reshape them in favor of their own agenda.