On Friday, President Trump utilized his executive authority to reinstate U.S. participation in two international anti-abortion agreements, one of which restricts U.S. family planning aid to foreign entities that support or advertise abortions.
The action revived the Mexico City Policy, dubbed the "global gag rule" by its critics for allegedly stifling abortion advocacy. Originally established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, it has been rescinded by Democratic presidents and reinstated by Republican administrations.
The issue of abortion remains contentious in U.S. politics and was a focal point in the 2024 election, which Trump won. In 2022, the Supreme Court delegated abortion regulations to individual states, relinquishing a nationwide right to abortion.
In his memorandum, President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to enforce the Mexico City Policy, ensuring that U.S. taxpayer funds do not support organizations promoting coercive abortion or forced sterilization.
Critics argue that the rule impedes access to other healthcare services and restricts foreign non-governmental organizations from receiving U.S. funds, even if they use separate finances for abortion-related care.
Janeen Madan Keller from the Center for Global Development stated that the policy exacerbates undesired pregnancies and abortions, contrary to its intended goals. She emphasized its detrimental effect on promoting gender equality by hindering education and employment opportunities for women and girls.
Rubio also disclosed that the U.S. would rejoin the Geneva Consensus Declaration, criticized for its impact on abortion accessibility globally. Initially sponsored by the U.S., Brazil, Uganda, Egypt, Hungary, and Indonesia in 2020, it now boasts over 35 signatories.
The Trump administration previously justified the declaration as a means to improve women's healthcare, uphold human life, bolster family units, and safeguard national sovereignty. The State Department highlighted one of its objectives as "protecting life at all stages."
In addition, Trump issued an executive order regarding the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortion coverage in the U.S., and nullified two executive orders from his predecessor that aimed to safeguard reproductive health services post the Roe v. Wade ruling overturn.
Planned Parenthood, a women's healthcare provider, expressed concerns about the Trump administration's reinforcement of restrictions on abortion access for low-income individuals through the executive order, stating it signals a commitment to this policy trajectory.