In a significant move, President Donald Trump has reinstated the controversial “Mexico City Policy,” an executive action that bans U.S. government funding for foreign organizations that provide or promote abortions.
The policy, which has been a point of contention between Democratic and Republican administrations, was revoked by former President Joe Biden in 2021.
However, Trump’s latest executive order, issued on Friday, nullified Biden’s directive, reinstating the policy that has been in place since the Reagan administration.
A Longstanding Debate
Originally introduced by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, the Mexico City Policy has been a recurring issue in U.S. politics.
Every Democratic president since Reagan has reversed the policy, while Republican presidents, including Trump, have reinstated it.
The policy specifically prohibits taxpayer money from being allocated to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that promote or perform abortions as a method of family planning. However, foreign governments and certain international groups remain exempt from the rule.
A Policy With Global Roots
The policy was first unveiled at the 1984 International Conference on Population in Mexico City, hence its name.
Over the years, the rule has been associated with the U.S. government’s stance on abortion-related activities abroad.
It restricts U.S. assistance to NGOs that perform or advocate for abortions, though it does not apply to all foreign organizations, allowing some international groups to receive U.S. funding without these restrictions.
Trump’s Broader Executive Actions
The reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy comes as part of a series of executive orders issued by President Trump during his first week back in office.
The president’s directives cover a wide range of policies, including climate action, the death penalty, immigration, and transgender rights, some of which have drawn criticism, including from the U.S. bishops.
As the debate over abortion and foreign aid continues, Trump’s reactivation of this longstanding policy highlights ongoing divisions within American politics.
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