The FBI has launched criminal investigations into three major children’s hospitals across the nation for potentially violating federal statutes against female genital mutilation through gender-affirming procedures performed on minors.
Key Takeaways
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are under FBI investigation for gender-affirming treatments provided to minors.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed Justice Department officials to enforce 18 U.S.C. § 116, which criminalizes female genital mutilation, with potential 10-year prison sentences per count.
- The investigations follow President Trump’s executive order to prevent irreversible medical interventions for minors struggling with gender identity issues.
- A new Coalition Against Child Mutilation is being formed to work with state attorneys general on addressing these concerns nationwide.
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles plans to close its Center for Transyouth Health and Development by July 2025 amid growing legal and financial risks.
Federal Crackdown on Gender Procedures for Minors
The FBI has initiated criminal investigations into three prominent children’s hospitals – Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – regarding their gender-affirming medical procedures for minors. This serious action stems from concerns that these facilities may have violated federal statutes prohibiting female genital mutilation. The hospitals in question appear on Do No Harm’s “Dirty Dozen” list, which identifies medical facilities promoting sex-change procedures for children. These investigations represent a significant escalation in the federal government’s approach to regulating transgender medical treatments for those under 18.
“I am putting medical practitioners, hospitals and clinics on notice: In the United States, it is a felony to perform, attempt to perform or conspire to perform female genital mutilation (\”FGM\”) on any person under the age of 18,” said Pam Bondi, Attorney General.
The Justice Department’s approach follows directives from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who issued a memorandum instructing officials to enforce 18 U.S.C. § 116, the federal statute criminalizing female genital mutilation. This enforcement action aligns with President Trump’s executive order designed to prevent irreversible medical interventions for minors experiencing gender dysphoria. The investigations could have profound implications for the future of pediatric gender care in America, potentially establishing legal precedents that would significantly restrict such procedures nationwide.
Specific Allegations Against the Hospitals
Each hospital under investigation faces specific allegations regarding their gender-affirming care practices. Boston Children’s Hospital allegedly provided sex-change treatments to children as young as 3 years old and performed surgeries without proper parental consent. While the hospital claims it only performs surgeries on patients over 18, it continues offering transgender hormone therapy and puberty blockers to minors. Children’s Hospital Colorado initially suspended transgender treatments following Trump’s executive order but resumed them after a judge temporarily blocked the order, demonstrating the contentious legal environment surrounding these practices.
“That crime carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years per count. I am directing all U.S. Attorneys to investigate all suspected cases of FGM — under the banner of so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ or otherwise — and to prosecute all FGM offenses to the fullest extent possible,” said Pam Bondi, Attorney General.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which maintains a large patient base including many minors, has already announced plans to close its Center for Transyouth Health and Development by July 2025. This decision appears driven by mounting legal and financial risks associated with providing such treatments. None of the hospitals have publicly addressed the FBI investigations, and Boston Children’s Hospital specifically stated it has not received any formal notice regarding the probe. The FBI has similarly declined to comment on the ongoing investigations, maintaining its standard protocol for active cases.
Broader Government Response and Future Implications
The Justice Department is forming a Coalition Against Child Mutilation to coordinate with state attorneys general on addressing these issues nationwide. This collaborative approach signals a comprehensive federal strategy to limit certain medical interventions for minors experiencing gender dysphoria. Additionally, legislation is being drafted that would allow children and parents to hold medical professionals accountable for damages resulting from gender-affirming procedures, creating a potential pathway for civil litigation beyond the current criminal investigations.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb from Do No Harm has publicly supported these investigations, advocating for evidence-based care over what he characterizes as experimental practices. The organization has created the “Stop the Harm Database” to document hospitals involved in providing gender-affirming care to minors. These investigations represent a significant shift in federal policy on transgender healthcare for minors, reflecting the Trump administration’s commitment to addressing conservative concerns about these medical interventions while alarming LGBTQ+ advocates who view such care as medically necessary for some youth.
