FBI Seeks Public Tips After Reports of Children Injured During Gender-Affirming Surgeries

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a public call this week, urging citizens to report any facilities or individuals allegedly involved in performing gender-affirming surgical procedures on minors. The agency communicated its message via social media, emphasizing the protection of children and accountability for what it described as "mutilation under the guise of gender-affirming care."

In its post, the FBI stated, "Help the FBI protect children. As the Attorney General has made clear, we will protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of gender-affirming care." The agency encouraged the public to use its tip line or website to report information regarding hospitals, clinics, or practitioners performing such procedures on minors. The message comes amid growing national debate over gender-affirming care for transgender youth and the legality and ethics surrounding such interventions.

The announcement prompted swift reactions across the political spectrum and from advocacy groups. Chloe Cole, a well-known detransitioner and critic of gender-affirming medical practices for minors, responded on social media, saying, "I’m a detransitioner and I’ve spoken personally with hundreds of others that have been seriously injured by this practice. We want to see this burnt to the ground." Cole's comments reflect a segment of individuals who have expressed regret after undergoing gender-affirming care and are now calling for stricter regulations or outright bans.

This renewed push from federal law enforcement and the government follows an executive order earlier this year by President Donald Trump titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation." The order established a clear policy that the United States will not support or fund procedures or treatments involving the transition of a minor’s sex, and vowed to enforce all relevant laws aimed at preventing such interventions. The order describes gender-affirming surgeries and certain hormone treatments in minors as "destructive and life-altering procedures."

Attorney General Pam Bondi has also weighed in, releasing a memo in April stating, "The Department of Justice will not sit idly by while doctors, motivated by ideology, profits, or both, exploit and mutilate our children. Under my watch, the Department will act decisively to protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of care."

The increased scrutiny comes as the broader conversation over transgender rights, medical ethics, and parental authority continues to play out across courtrooms, legislative chambers, and communities nationwide. Federal agencies, including the Department of Education, have been drawn into the debate, particularly as issues around transgender athletes and Title IX protections spark further controversy.

While supporters of gender-affirming care for minors argue that these procedures can be life-saving and are conducted with extensive oversight and counseling, opponents believe such interventions are harmful and irreversible, especially for children and adolescents. As the federal government signals a more aggressive approach toward regulating or prohibiting these practices, the clash between medical freedom, children's safety, and parental rights appears set to intensify.