Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
President Donald Trump is once again drawing a sharp contrast between his administration and Democrats, this time focusing on an issue that has become increasingly prominent in American politics: policies affecting women and girls.
Trump and his administration argue that several actions taken during his presidency demonstrate that he has defended women in areas where Democrats have taken a different position.
One of the clearest examples involves women’s athletics.
The Trump administration has made restricting transgender participation in women’s and girls’ sports a major policy priority. The White House has repeatedly promoted Trump’s position that athletic categories designated for women should be based on biological sex. The administration has also taken action against federal programs involving what it describes as “gender ideology” and has presented those policies as protections for women and girls.
Democrats and civil-rights advocates dispute that characterization and generally approach transgender policy from a different perspective, emphasizing nondiscrimination protections and the rights of transgender Americans.
Women’s issues extend far beyond athletics, however.
The two parties have major disagreements involving abortion and reproductive policy, workplace protections, health care, education, family policy and federal civil-rights rules. Democrats have frequently argued that their positions on reproductive freedom and equal-pay policies represent important protections for American women.
Trump’s administration, meanwhile, has highlighted women serving in prominent positions. His White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, became the first woman to hold that position, and President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted a Women’s History Month event at the White House in March recognizing women working in business, athletics, law enforcement, government and other fields.
Those competing records demonstrate why the question of which policies best protect women remains politically contentious.
Trump says his administration has been willing to stand up for women on issues where Democrats would not. Democrats strongly reject that characterization and point to their own policy record as evidence that they have defended women’s rights.
Ultimately, voters can examine those competing arguments and decide for themselves.
What do you think?