Trump v. Colorado: AG Phil Weiser Challenges Trump’s Executive Orders

During the first days of Donald Trump back in the White House, the country has been hit by a wave of executive orders that threaten to dismantle LGBTQ+ protections, especially in states like Colorado, which are known for being one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly states in the country. 

But Colorado’s local government is not letting Trump bulldoze over blue-led strongholds. Attorney General Phil Weiser is leading the charge on a legal blitz to block Trump’s actions from hurting the state. 

According to Axios Denver, the state already had been in Trump’s line of sight with vows of starting deportation in Aurora. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston made a pledge to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation, drawing more attention to the state. This resulted in the federal government investigating Denver’s policies and threatening Denver’s sanctuary city policies. 

State law prohibits local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities to remove illegal immigrants, which currently goes against Trump’s mass deportation orders.   

But Johnston doesn’t regret his actions. Axios Denver reports that Johnston issued a warning to lawmakers in Washington that the state will “stand our ground if our residents are under threat,” he said. “We’re not going to be bullied or blackmailed.” 

Despite Johnston’s warning, the bullying tactics continue. In January, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights announced it would be investigating Denver Public Schools’ gender-neutral bathrooms. The department claimed this investigation was prompted by alarming reports that the Denver Public Schools District was denying female students a restroom comparable to males.

Chalkbeat Colorado shared the Denver Public Schools District’s statement. The district reiterated that the restroom was added “as the result of a student-led process that reflects our commitment to inclusivity and student voice, leadership, and empowerment, providing a welcoming space for all.” The district added, “This restroom serves all students, including those who may feel uncomfortable in gender-specific facilities, and aligns with our values of supporting every student.” 

It should be noted that the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights failed to mention in its announcement that Denver schools do provide designated restrooms for female and male students. Known for having the nation’s first elected gay governor, Colorado has been a leader in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Gender-neutral restrooms within public schools, which are a testament to that support, are now under threat from Trump. 

In response to Trump’s executive orders and inference into Denver’s LGBTQ+ policies, Attorney General Phil Wieser is putting Colorado on the front lines with numerous lawsuits. On behalf of the state, he has joined at least 11 lawsuits from attorney generals across 21 states. Two of the most important lawsuits are about federal challenges the state is currently facing. 

 

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The state filed a lawsuit with three others to void Trump’s order that ended federal spending on hospitals providing gender-affirming care and, in the process, criminalized doctors who assisted in these services. 

This lawsuit resulted in a win for Weiser and the state as services resumed, and the Colorado Sun reported that Weiser said if Trump’s order was allowed to stand, it would have caused “irreversible physical and mental health harms for transgender youth” and added, “Gender-affirming care is legally protected health care in Colorado, and with this lawsuit, Colorado hospitals will again be free to provide critical care.” 

As a sanctuary city, Trump’s executive order to end citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants threatens the city. Weiser’s lawsuit argues that citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. In a statement, Wesier said, “The executive order cannot be allowed to stand, and I will fight to ensure that all who are born in the United States keep their right to fully and fairly be a part of American society as a citizen with all its benefits and privileges.” 

This ban will not only strip individuals of their basic rights but also cause states to lose federal funding that provides basic rights. 

The legal battles waged by Wesier on behalf of Colorado highlight how blue states are fighting Trump’s efforts to reshape national policies. From protecting sanctuary city policies to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, Colorado refuses to back down.