The Trump administration is facing criticism after a new White House counterterrorism directive identified “radically pro-transgender” groups as ideologies federal agencies should monitor. The 16-page memo directs intelligence agencies to focus on groups described as anti-American, radically pro-transgender, while making no mention of far-right extremism or white nationalist groups.
Officials pointed to recent acts of violence, including the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, allegedly carried out by Tyler Robinson, who prosecutors say had recently begun dating a trans woman and criticizing Kirk online. White House counterterrorism official Sebastian Gorka also referenced school shootings involving alleged transgender perpetrators as justification for heightened scrutiny of trans-related activism.
However, data reviewed by the Gun Violence Archive and findings from researchers consistently show that transgender people make up an extremely small fraction of mass shooters in the United States, and the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are cis men. Critics say the policy unfairly links transgender identity and advocacy to extremism. This could further spread anti trans rhetoric, especially now, when trans Americans are facing high levels of violence and harassment.
