White House says DOJ to challenge state laws that block transgender treatments for kids

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says the Biden administration can and will use the Department of Justice to fight state laws that "target" transgender kids.

"This year alone, more than 600 anti-LGBTQI bills have been filed in statehouses across the country, and a significant portion of those bills target transgender youth," she said Friday. "As President Biden says, these young people are some of the bravest people he knows, but no one should have to be brave to be themselves."

She went on to say that the Biden administration is taking more steps to advance equality for the LGBTQ community and protect their civil rights. 

"DOJ is actively supporting challenges to state laws that target transgender kids," she continued. "In light of the Dobbs decision, he took action to protect marriage equality by signing into law the Respect for Marriage Act and he continues to call on Congress to pass the Equality Act to enshrine civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ Americans in federal law."  

Several states, including Texas and North Dakota, have taken action at the local level and banned transgender surgery for minors. 

Jean-Pierre, who is a lesbian, said that this year has been a hard year for the LGBTQ community. 

"This year has been really scary for our community," she said, adding that "people are being treated, threatened, intimidated and targeted for who they are and who they love."

There has been pushback against Jean-Pierre's assertions, according to Fox News. "Make no mistake: the federal government has been weaponized against parents that want to protect their children," a Twitter account representing Chicago’s Morning Answer radio program said while summarizing Jean-Pierre's comments.