The Trump administration has initiated a freeze on federal Title X funding to Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, citing potential violations of executive orders. This action has prompted strong criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who labeled the move as “just plain cruel.”
Title X, established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon, provides federal funds for family planning and related health services. The current administration’s decision affects nine Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, with allegations of non-compliance related to prohibitions on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as well as the provision of abortion services to undocumented immigrants.
Governor Newsom expressed his dismay on social media, emphasizing the foundational role of Title X in offering basic reproductive care, including birth control, cancer screenings, and STD testing. In his post he wrote, “Woke up this morning to the Trump Administration freezing ALL of CA’s Title X funding. It’s a Republican founded program — Richard Nixon of all people established it in 1970. This is just plain cruel.”
Planned Parenthood Action Fund CEO Alexis McGill echoed these concerns, warning that the funding freeze could lead to undetected cancers, reduced access to contraception, and a worsening of the nation’s STI crisis. She accused President Trump and Elon Musk of advancing a political agenda at the expense of public health.
McGill stated, “President Trump and Elon Musk are pushing their dangerous political agenda, stripping health care access from people nationwide, and not giving a second thought to the devastation they will cause.
“We know what happens when health care providers cannot use Title X funding: People across the country suffer, cancers go undetected, access to birth control is severely reduced, and the nation’s STI crisis worsens.”
Recently, the administration announced plans to cut tens of millions of dollars from Planned Parenthood, demanding adherence to executive orders that ban diversity initiatives and alter operational practices.
This funding freeze highlights a long-standing conservative priority: ensuring taxpayer dollars do not support organizations that perform abortions or promote controversial social agendas. The Trump administration’s move aligns with its efforts to enforce executive orders that restrict government funding to entities violating federal guidelines. While critics decry the decision, many conservatives see it as a necessary step toward protecting life, upholding the law, and restoring accountability in how public funds are allocated.
