TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) criticized an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, calling it a “harmful attack on transgender students” and the educators who support them.
In a statement issued Wednesday, NJEA leaders, including President Sean Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty, and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson, vowed to fight the policy.
Spiller is running for governor of New Jersey in this year’s election.
“President Donald Trump’s latest executive order directly targets vulnerable students and the dedicated school employees who work so hard to protect and educate them,” they said.
The statement accused Trump of using children “as political pawns” and pledged to work with the New Jersey attorney general and parents to challenge the order.
Trump’s order is part of a series of education-related policies he has enacted since returning to office, sparking backlash from advocacy groups and educators.
Trump signed an executive order defining sex as strictly biological and rolling back federal policies that recognized gender identity.
The order mandates that all federal agencies, documents, and policies recognize only two sexes, male and female, based on biological characteristics at birth. It also directs agencies to remove references to gender identity, halt funding for programs promoting what it calls “gender ideology,” and require government-issued identification to reflect only biological sex.
“My Administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male,” the order states.
The directive rescinds multiple Biden-era policies, including protections for transgender individuals in education, healthcare, and housing, and dissolves the White House Gender Policy Council.
The order is expected to face legal challenges from civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates who argue it erases protections for transgender individuals.