Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful, has joined a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender surgeries for minors while criticizing supporters of a state Senate bill that would restrict biological males from participating in girls’ sports. The lawsuit, which Shapiro has joined alongside 16 other states, seeks to block Trump’s federal interference in medical decisions, arguing that such policies undermine parental and local community autonomy. Shapiro emphasized that his opposition to Trump’s move is not an endorsement of the procedures themselves, but rather a defense of medical freedom and the right of families to make healthcare choices without federal oversight.
Shapiro’s stance has drawn sharp backlash from Republican lawmakers, who accuse him of aligning with ‘radical’ Democrats and undermining children’s welfare. A spokesperson for the state’s Senate GOP campaign committee criticized Shapiro’s actions as an attempt to ‘ingratiate himself with the Democratic base’ and warned that such ‘extreme’ policies could put the health of children at risk. The controversy intensified following Shapiro’s public condemnation of both Trump and potential rival Senator Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg, for ‘legislating’ on issues related to sports and gender identity. Mastriano, a co-sponsor of the ‘Save Women’s Sports Act’ that would ban biological males from girls’ sports, called Shapiro’s criticism hypocritical, accusing him of denying science and ‘forcing biological males into women’s sports.’
The White House has seized on Shapiro’s lawsuit as an example of the Democratic Party’s ‘radical’ policies, which it claims are out of step with American values. A White House spokeswoman praised Trump’s executive actions, arguing that the president is protecting vulnerable children from what she describes as harmful procedures. Meanwhile, Shapiro’s critics within his own party argue that his stance on the issue reflects a broader trend of leftward shift, influenced by the rise of progressive Democrats like New York Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. However, Shapiro has recently criticized Mamdani for failing to address antisemitic rhetoric within his own movement, signaling a complex internal dynamic within the Democratic Party that continues to challenge traditional political boundaries.
Despite the controversy, Shapiro’s approval rating remains relatively high, with recent polls placing him as the 9th most popular governor in the nation. His position on the transgender surgery ban and sports legislation highlights the ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans, as well as the growing polarization over issues of gender identity and bodily autonomy. The case also underscores the larger national debate over federal versus state authority in healthcare and education, with Shapiro’s actions serving as a microcosm of the broader political forces at play in American politics.