Trump looks to enforce trans inmate crackdown as new acting federal prisons chief tapped
After the resignation of Colette Peters on Inauguration Day, a new interim director has been appointed to lead the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) as President Donald Trump aims to crack down on transgender inmates in facilities that do not align with their biological sex. William W. Lothrop has been named as the new BOP director, although it remains unclear when a permanent replacement will be appointed by the Trump administration.
In a statement, Lothrop emphasized his commitment to addressing ongoing challenges such as staffing shortages and operational issues within the BOP. He expressed his dedication to working with staff to find effective solutions that will strengthen the facilities and enhance programming and support services for inmates. Collaboration with law enforcement partners and stakeholders will continue to be a priority under his leadership.
On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This order defines sex strictly as male or female based on biological characteristics and mandates that federal agencies adopt this definition in their policies and practices. It also requires that individuals be housed in federal prisons according to their biological sex rather than their gender identity, affecting the approximately 2,300 transgender inmates currently in federal prisons.
The executive order further halts federal funding for transgender procedures and treatments for inmates, directing the Attorney General to ensure that the BOP revises its medical care policies accordingly. This order reflects a shift away from the policies implemented by several U.S. states during the Biden administration, which allowed transgender inmates to be housed in facilities that aligned with their gender identity.
Under Peters’ leadership, the BOP faced challenges such as staff shortages, widespread corruption, misconduct, and abuse. Despite efforts to address these issues, Peters struggled to achieve significant results during her tenure. The agency, which oversees more than 155,000 federal inmates and employs nearly 36,000 individuals, continues to grapple with these persistent challenges.
President Trump’s commitment to enforcing a strict interpretation of sex based on biological characteristics aligns with his campaign promise to crack down on what he views as left-wing gender ideology. His administration’s focus on this issue has sparked debate and controversy, with critics raising concerns about the impact on transgender inmates and their access to appropriate housing and medical care.
As the new interim director of the BOP, William W. Lothrop faces the daunting task of navigating these complex and contentious issues while striving to improve the agency’s operations and address ongoing challenges. His leadership will be closely watched as the Trump administration continues to prioritize the enforcement of policies that align with its stance on gender identity and biological sex.
