Two members of Trump's cabinet reportedly sparred over bathroom protections for transgender students
But behind the scenes, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions privately sparred over the order, The New York Times reported.
The order would reverse guidance from the Obama Administration directing schools to allow transgender students the right to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.
DeVos told Trump she was uncomfortable signing the order, three Republicans with direct knowledge of the internal discussions told the Times.
Sessions pushed DeVos to reverse her stance and agree to the order. He is reliant on her support as the order must come from the Department of Education and Justice Department.
During the highly contentious Senate confirmation process for DeVos, there were questions over whether she would protect LGBT students in her role. Critics cited her family's donations to organizations which oppose gay rights. Still, colleagues of DeVos have portrayed her as someone supportive of LGBT rights.
Sessions' ideas surrounding LGBT rights are less nuanced. He has voted against such expanding rights throughout his career in the Senate.
A draft of the order obtained by the Times cited confusion over the guidance set forth by the Obama Administration. School administrators, parents, and students have "struggled to understand and apply the statements of policy and guidance," the draft read, according to the Times.
The forthcoming order will have rippling impact across the nation for school systems attempting to update bathroom policies.
The most high-profile case relates to high-school student Gavin Grimm. Grimm is a transgender student who sued his high school in federal court for refusing to allow him to use the boys' bathroom, which corresponds to his gender identity.
In 2016, The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in Grimm's favor, pointing to the Obama Administration guidance. The Gloucester County School Board appealed the decision and the case is now set to be heard by the Supreme Court in March.
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market