The First Two Weeks of the Second Trump Administration: A Message from the ASRM Office of Public Affairs

February 1, 2025

Dear ASRM Members:

Like you, we have been monitoring the whirlwind of activity in the first two weeks of the Trump Administration.

Specifically, we have seen the rapid release of executive orders, presidential memorandums, and proclamations, all while the President’s nominees move through the confirmation process and the new administration removes public servants and appoints its own personnel for key positions at federal agencies. We are carefully analyzing all these actions in real-time to assess the potential impacts on our members and the field of reproductive medicine.


Nevertheless, there are several elements in these early executive actions that are cause for concern. Specifically, ASRM opposes:

• Silencing our federal public health agencies. These entities provide information essential to maintaining the health of the American people.
• Stopping -- or even pausing -- federally funded research. The Constitution empowers Congress to authorize spending of public money, and these funds have been allocated following a rigorous oversight process. These programs should not be jeopardized by a politically motivated review process.
• Dropping World Health Organization (WHO) membership and ending US financial support. The WHO plays an important role in global health care and should be supported. ASRM intends to maintain our role as a Non-State Actor in official relations with the WHO, regardless of any decisions made by this administration to end US participation in and eliminate federal resources for the WHO’s critical work.
• Citing inaccurate information and language in ANY policy. Ideologically driven non-truths, such as those included in the executive order on "DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,” have no place in any policy directive. This is especially concerning when a medically unfounded basis is used to design policies restricting access to reproductive care.

While many questions remain regarding the intent, legality, and longevity of steps this administration has taken in its first few days in office, it is important to understand what these executive orders, presidential memoranda, and proclamations are and what they are not. None of these administrative actions are new laws; only Congress has the authority to legislate. Despite what the President and his team might suggest, the policy documents released by the White House are not binding federal regulations.

We acknowledge the anxiety caused by the difficulty in predicting how much the Trump administration, and its allies in Congress, might leverage these announcements to enact policy change. In most cases, the administration’s activities these past two weeks will have very little policy impact and should instead be viewed more as rhetoric.

Rest assured that your ASRM Public Affairs staff is paying close attention and developing strategic plans for how we can best play offense and defense. We are prepared to take more forceful action, including advocating for legislative corrections, pursuing litigation, and asking medical professionals to engage with the policymakers who are interested in informed policy debates.

One of the things we value most about ASRM members is their willingness to take action. Here are important things you can do:

• Continue to serve your patients. With no federal restrictions on your ability to care for your patients, you are uniquely positioned to ensure that your patients continue to receive the standard of care, despite whatever anxiety they might also be feeling.
• Stay informed. Look to ASRM to answer your questions, provide you with information, and share talking points and educational resources.
• Express your views and support each other. You can be part of the policymaking conversation by sharing your concerns with government officials, staff, colleagues, neighbors, and family. Explain what is at risk and why we must insist that policymakers understand the things they seek to exert control over. Explain why the use of accurate scientific terms and information is important.
• Be ready to act. When we see specific opportunities and the need for our members to assert themselves in the policymaking process, we will ask for your help. It is essential that you answer those calls when they come.
• Remain calm and share information that is factual and scientifically accurate. We are constantly monitoring actions at the state and federal level and will continue to share resources such as these and this newest fact sheet regarding Biological Sex

-- ASRM Office of Public Affairs