Despite internal debate, Trump Administration proceeds with withdrawal of transgender rights


Developments on Day 34 of the Trump Administration:

Administration Reverses Obama on Transgender Rights

Trump’s officials reverse Obama Administration guidelines guaranteeing the right of transgender students to areas — such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and dormitories — matching their gender identity.

A joint letter by the Justice and Education Departments said the reversal was “in order to further and more completely consider the legal issues involved”.

The letter also confirmed the Administration’s intention to treat the issue as one of State’s rights: “The Departments believe that…there must be due regard for the primary role of the States and local school districts in establishing education policy.

New Education Secretary Betsy DeVos reportedly opposed the lifting of rights, but was opposed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and gave way when Donald Trump insisted on the letter.

The Obama administration issued the guidance in May 2016. Wednesday’s letter retained one element of the guidance: recognition that schools bear some responsibility to prevent bullying and harassment of transgender students.

DeVos said in a statement on Wednesday night she considered it a “moral obligation” of all schools to protect all students and investigate claims of bullying “against those who are most vulnerable”, although she said the bathroom issue was not a federal issue.

TOP PHOTO: Rally for transgender rights outside the White House on Wednesday night (Al Drago/New York Times)

Homeland Security Chief: “Guatemalans, Don’t Try to Get Into US”

Speaking after guidelines for a crackdown on undocumented immigrants, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly tells Guatemalans not to waste their money trying to get to the US without papers.

As he greeted a plane with 347 deportees at a Guatemalan Air Force base, Kelly said US authorities were not carrying out mass deportations and would follow the law. But he declared:

If you’re a Guatemalan who is considering paying a great deal of money to a coyote [smuggler] to bring you to the United States, you’ll be wasting your money. You will be returned very quickly.

Kelly then left for Mexico where he and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will discuss the new US guidelines with Mexican officials.

Mexico has already objected to some provisions, such as Homeland Security’s intention to send non-Mexican foreign nationals from the US into Mexico. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said there is no chance of Mexican acceptance.

Tuesday’s guidelines subject almost all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US to possible deportation, with an additional 15,000 immigration and border officials, promises of quicker court proceedings, and removal of protections for those seeking asylum.

See TrumpWatch, Day 33: Homeland Security Outlines Immigration Crackdown

Lawyers: Undocumented Immigrant With Brain Tumor Taken From Hospital, Returned to Detention

An undocumented immigrant diagnosed with a brain tumor is returned to a detention center from a Texas hospital, according to her lawyers.

The woman, a Salvadoran national identified was Sara, was released from Huguley Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas and taken to Prairieland Detention Center.

“She told us they tied her hands and ankles in her condition,” Melissa Zuniga, a member of Sara’s legal team, said. “She’s complaining of a lot of pain.”

Zuniga said Sara, 26, was cut off from communication with her family and lawyers.

“Requests by family members to visit detainees who have been hospitalized are permitted but must be approved in advance with ICE [Immigrations and Customs Enforcement] and the appropriate consulate. ICE reached out to the family to explain the process,” said ICE spokeswoman Gillian Christensen.

Sara was transferred from Prairieland to Huguley after complaining of severe headaches and collapsing on February 10.

Doctors at the hospital diagnosed Sara with a tumor and said they would soon perform surgery.

However, the hospital “no longer wants to be in charge of her case because they’re getting hounded by calls and a potential lawsuit”, said Zuniga.

GOP Senator: I’m Open to Subpoena of Trump Tax Returns

Republican Senator Susan Collins says she is open to a subpoena to investigate Donald Trump’s tax returns for potential connections to Russia.

Collins, who has represented Maine since 1997, sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election.

Last week, House Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats to obtain the tax returns from the IRS. Senator Orrin Hatch, who heads two important committees, has also said that he will not support any effort.

Press Secretary Hits Back at Anne Frank Center In Anti-Semitism Argument

Press Secretary Sean Spicer criticizes the Anne Frank Center for raising questions over Donald Trump’s denunciation of anti-Semitism.

Trump said on Tuesday that anti-Semitism was horrible but many observers said the statement was a belated response, given bomb threats against 48 centers in 26 states in January. They also noted that Trump rebuked an Orthodox Jewish journalist who raised the issue at a press conference last week.

The Anne Frank Center challenged, “The President’s sudden acknowledgment of Anti-Semitism is a Band-Aid on the cancer of Anti-Semitism that has infected his own administration.”

Spicer replied, “It’s ironic that no matter how many times [Trump] talks about this, it’s never good enough.”

The head of the Center, Steven Goldstein, was unrepentant:

What has become of our democracy, that a press secretary for the president — let alone the president himself — expects applause simply for saying that anti-Semitism exists? Next President Trump will announce that the United States has achieved the first landing of a person on the moon and also expect us to applaud. What universe are these people living in?

Military Child Care Cut Because of Trump Hiring Freeze

In one of the first effects of Donald Trump’s executive order freezing the hiring of Federal employees, day care for children of members of the US military at two large bases has been cut.

The US Army command at Fort Knox, Kentucky notified parents that no new children will be taken on a full-time basis and hourly and part-time care is suspended.

The US Army garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany has also cut provision.

Trump signed the executive order halting all Government hiring, except for those serving in the military.

Report: White House’s Conway Was Suspended from TV After Going “Off Message”

Kellyanne Conway, the White House counsellor and de facto spokesperson, was suspended from TV appearances for a week after statements over now-departed National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

A “White House source” said Conway was barred after a statement on February 13 that Flynn had Donald Trump’s “full confidence. Hours later, Flynn’s departure was announced.

Conway said the next day that Flynn resigned, but White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump had asked Flynn for his resignation.

The counsellor reappeared on Fox News on Wednesday night with a different version of events:

I don’t think I have to explain myself if I’m not going on TV if I’m out with four kids for three days looking at houses and schools. A lot of my colleagues aren’t trying to figure out how to be a mother of four kids, I assure you.

White House Chief Digital Officer Dismissed After Failed Background Check

White House Chief Digital Officer Gerrit Lansing was among six staff dismissed last week after failing an FBI background check, according to sources.

A source close to Lansing, who previously led the digital department for the Republican National Committee, said the issue was over investments.

Donald Trump’s director of scheduling, Caroline Wiles, was also among the six staffers who did not pass the intensive FBI screening. Two sources close to Wiles said she will get another job in the Treasury Department.