The Trump administration has announced a significant expansion of the controversial Mexico City policy, which will now prevent approximately $30 billion in US foreign assistance from being used to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as what officials term "gender ideology" programmes overseas. This move represents a dramatic widening of the so-called "global gag rule," which traditionally restricted funding related to abortion services.
Expanding the Scope of Foreign Aid Restrictions
Confirmed by a State Department spokesperson on Thursday morning, this policy shift marks a substantial extension of the Mexico City policy, first introduced by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Historically, this policy has been rescinded by Democratic administrations and reinstated by Republican ones, typically applying only to family planning assistance worth around $600 million.
During his first term, President Trump extended the policy to cover all global health assistance, affecting an estimated $7.3 billion in aid. Advocacy groups reported catastrophic consequences, with organizations like MSI Reproductive Choices forced to shutter services in countries including Uganda, Madagascar, and Nepal.
New Dimensions of the Policy Expansion
The latest expansion goes beyond previous iterations by applying to foreign assistance across all sectors, not merely health-related funding. Additionally, it explicitly blocks groups from using US funds to support "abortion as a form of family planning," though the State Department has not clarified how this requirement differs from past versions.
This decision intensifies the administration's broader crackdown on DEI efforts and rights for transgender and non-binary people. The term "gender ideology" is used by right-wing circles to describe the concept that gender is fluid and that trans and non-binary individuals exist.
Broader Political Context and Implications
President Trump has signed numerous executive orders dismantling federal support for DEI initiatives, asserting that there are only two genders, and opposing government recognition of transgender people. His administration has also undermined research aimed at advancing racial and gender equity.
The State Department is set to officially release three final rules outlining the new policy on Friday, coinciding with the annual March for Life gathering in Washington DC, where thousands of anti-abortion activists are expected to convene.
This policy expansion reflects the administration's commitment to reshaping US foreign assistance according to conservative values, potentially affecting countless international organizations and US-based NGOs operating abroad. The long-term impact on global health, human rights, and diplomatic relations remains to be seen as advocacy groups prepare to challenge these measures.
