Reports suggest any organization – domestic or foreign – receiving US funding is now at risk of losing that funding unless they agree to not speak about abortion, gender identity, or DEI initiatives

01.23.26 (PRESS RELEASE) Later today, the Trump administration will reportedly announce an unprecedented expansion of the Global Gag Rule, which has historically blocked foreign organizations that receive U.S. funds from providing, counseling, or referring for abortion services in their own countries  — even when those activities are lawful and supported entirely with non-U.S. funds. Under the new change, the policy will supposedly be expanded to all non-military U.S. foreign assistance and humanitarian aid organizations that supply food, water, and medicine after natural disasters or conflicts.  Reports say the policy will also take away U.S. funding from any non-governmental organizations (NGO)—domestic or foreign—that provide care to transgender people and participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  

“President Trump and his anti-abortion administration would rather let people starve to death in the wake of famine and war than let anyone in the world get an abortion – or even receive information about it,” said Rachana Desai Martin, Chief US Program Officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “People are already dying because of this administration’s slashing of foreign assistance. Now, they’re making it harder for doctors and aid workers to provide food, water, and lifesaving medical care. This isn’t about saving lives – it’s a stunning abdication of basic human decency.”

Since it was first introduced in 1984, the Global Gag Rule – also known as the Mexico City Policy – has been repeatedly rescinded by Democratic presidents and reinstated by Republican presidents.   When in effect, organizations must either comply with the policy and stop offering necessary –sometimes lifesaving – services, or continue to provide care while foregoing US funding. Either option risks leaving communities with little or no alternatives for necessary reproductive health care. 

President Trump reinstated the Global Gag Rule shortly after taking office last January.  Research shows that the Global Gag Rule decreases access to contraception, maternal and child health care, HIV prevention and treatment, and other essential services declines—while unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable deaths increase. Even when the policy is not being enforced, it has a chilling effect – discouraging organizations from speaking openly about abortion and from rebuilding programs out of fear that the policy will once again be reinstated.

Under several proposed policy changes expected to be announced today, the consequences may no longer be limited to the global health sector. The policy reportedly now applies to a significantly wider group of organizations, including multilateral institutions and both foreign and U.S.-based NGOs. The expanded policy is also expected to put into action recent executive orders attacking so-called “gender ideology” and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives—explicitly extending gag rule restrictions to any organization that recognizes and works with transgender people and provides gender-affirming care, as well as programs that work with specific vulnerable populations. 

The Center for Reproductive Rights has and continues to call on Congress to permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule and to reject the use of U.S. foreign assistance as a tool for censorship, coercion, and discrimination.  Following the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule a year ago, the Center relaunched its Global Gag Rule Pro Bono Clearinghouse, a team of global law firms with relevant expertise to provide pro bono counsel to NGOs affected by the policy. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Center for Reproductive Rights: [email protected]