Gov. Gavin Newsom declines to specify an age limit for youth transgender surgeries, drawing criticism from whistleblowers.

Governor Pressed on Age for Gender Treatments

California Governor Gavin Newsom has come under fire after avoiding a direct answer to the question of how young is too young for children to undergo transgender surgeries. Appearing on former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan’s podcast, Newsom acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, calling it a “major problem” for his party but did not elaborate on his personal position.

When pressed by Ryan about whether children as young as eight should be treated, Newsom replied, “Yeah, I mean look, now that I have a nine-year-old, just became nine, come on, man.” His response has since fueled criticism from both political opponents and former allies.

Jamie Reed, a former transgender clinic case manager and self-described lifelong Democrat, voiced her disappointment with Newsom’s stance on “Fox & Friends.” Reed, who has become a prominent whistleblower on the issue, said, “He does not answer the question. And for a lifelong Democrat like myself, I am incredibly disappointed that the party, this person who wants to be the leader of the party, is still not able to answer the basic science questions.”

Debate Influences Politics and Policy

During the podcast, Newsom suggested that the contentious debate over transgender surgeries for minors may have played a “very significant” role in the 2024 election, potentially affecting Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.

Reed believes Newsom’s reluctance stems from a broader lack of education and willingness to address mistakes. “I think part of why he pivots and doesn't answer the question is because the best answer from the Democrats right now needs to be first an apology,” she said. “We got this wrong. We have hurt children and families, and we are sorry.”

The issue remains a flashpoint between the Trump administration and California. In February, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a memo reminding hospitals and federally funded healthcare providers of their obligations to offer gender-affirming care, even as the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding from such programs.

Reed further criticized Newsom for, in her view, minimizing the seriousness of the issue by failing to take a clear position. “Gavin acts like, in this interview, he doesn't understand what's going on in his own state,” Reed argued. “How could he run for president if he doesn’t even understand the policies and how they impact families in his state?”

California became a sanctuary state for families seeking transgender treatments for minors in 2022 under a bill signed by Newsom. This came as several states, including Tennessee, enacted laws prohibiting such treatments for young people who have not reached puberty.

With the issue continuing to divide lawmakers and communities nationwide, pressure is mounting on Newsom and Democratic leaders to provide clearer guidance and accountability for families seeking or questioning youth transgender care.