On Wednesday, President Trump revoked protections put in place by President Obama allowing transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity. In response, Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline issued the following statement:

“On the first day of CPAC, President Trump paid a debt to the Religious Right for its role in electing him. The move reeks of politics at its worst – undercutting the rights of a vulnerable group in exchange for votes.

“President Trump overruled opposition from his Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to revoke basic protections for transgender students. The decision was driven by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who openly opposes equal rights for LGBT people, and President Trump’s desire to please the Religious Right, his most reliable base of support.

“Whether bigotry against transgender people is motivated by ignorance or misguided religious conviction, it has no place in our nation’s schools or government. Surely this is something the President knows.

“President Trump is at a critical juncture. He can continue to defer to the voices of bigotry and hatred, or he can become a President for all Americans. His legacy is in his hands, and history will judge him harshly if he does not change course.”

Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.