Statement on Trump’s Global Gag Rule Expansion 

This month, the Trump Administration expanded its agenda of control, applying the Global Gag Rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy), for the first time to all foreign aid, including humanitarian efforts and programs run by U.S. organizations, UN partners, and other governments. 

In response, Ramish Nadeem, Program Manager of Muslim & International Youth Advocacy, issued the following statement: 

“These interim final rules expand the Global Gag Rule beyond abortion to advance the Trump administration’s anti-transgender and anti-DEI agenda. Countries who receive aid are now forced to choose: they can fall in line while sacrificing essential programming or stand up for public health but risk losing critical financial support. The expanded Global Gag Rule will have a devastating effect on global public health efforts, magnifying the crisis brought on by the destruction of USAID and wreaking havoc on efforts to improve health, uphold human rights, and achieve gender equality worldwide. Young people, LGBTQI+ people, and women deserve better.

Advocates for Youth calls on Congress to pass legislation to end gag rules, including the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act, and reject attempts to codify these dangerous policies.

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Advocates for Youth is a 501(c)3 organization that champions efforts that help young people make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates for Youth boldly advocates for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health, focusing its work on young people ages 14-24 in the U.S. and around the globe. 

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2026

Contact: Eleanor Naiman, [email protected]