Press Secretary Says Revoking the Obama Letter Does Not Mean the Trump Administration Is Sending a Message to Transgender Students

As the nation grows increasingly outraged that the Trump administrationÂ Wednesday night revoked Obama-era guidance on protecting transgender students, White House Press Secretary faced multiple questions about the decision from reporters Thursday afternoon.

Spicer repeated his statement that PresidentÂ Donald Trump believes transgender rights, and specifically which restroom transgender students should be able to use, is a “states’ rights” issue.Â

That’s of course, falseÂ â€“ civil rights are always federal. The right to due process does not exist only in eastern states, the right to marry does not exist only in western states.

Spicer pointed to a Texas court that stopped what Spicer called “implementation” of the Obama guidance, and claimed procedures weren’t followed. He suggested prior public comment was required for a “Dear Colleague” letter to school districts.

Despite several court rulings that support using Title IX to protect transgender students, Spicer only would point to the Texas ruling. He wrongly claimed that because the court stopped the Obama guidance from being followed, sending a new letter saying they were revoking the Obama guidance was not reversing it, which is false.Â

Spicer laughably also insisted that by revoking the Obama letter the Trump administration is not sending a message to transgender students. Clearly Spicer has never been a minority student.

The press secretary then went on to claim that the “message shows that he’s a guy with a heart,” because he last year had said Caitlyn Jenner was welcome to use any restroom at Trump Tower.

RT CNNPolitics: Sean Spicer: Trump believes transgender student protections are a “statesâ€™ rights issueâ€ â€¦ https://t.co/hxww9DxyBn â€” Jake Cornwall (@JakeM_1998) February 23, 2017

And then this:

“The law right now doesn’t allow for it under Title IX that was passed in 1972,” â€“Â meaning using Title IX to show that transgender children should be able to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

But Spicer is incorrect on that, as courts have ruled.

He went on to state that “it’s a states’ rights issue and the states should enact laws that reflect the values, principles, Â and will of the people in their state. Very simple,” Spicer insisted, subjecting transgender children to the “values” of the people in their state.

Spicer has a strong misconception that if something could not have been “contemplated” at the time a law was passed, that law cannot possibly cover that issue.Â That’s his argument for saying, wrongly, that Title IX cannot protect transgender students. And it’s false.

Shorter Spicer: Transgender kids didn’t exist in the ’70s. â€” Laffy (@GottaLaff) February 23, 2017

Take a look:

.@ZekeJMiller: Why are you relying on court decision for transgender guidelines, but not travel ban? Spicer claims a “big difference” pic.twitter.com/kbzSq2UOKg â€” Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) February 23, 2017

Here Spicer talked about “children who are struggling” with being transgender:

HAPPENING NOW: Spicer says the president’sÂ reversal of transgendered students protection is a state’s right issue, not federal. pic.twitter.com/h2Pmu4qi7x â€” CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) February 23, 2017

And take a look at Spicer stumbling in these clips:

Watch this back-and-forth between @KWelkerNBC and Spicer over transgender kids https://t.co/G5dd0BqxTp â€” Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 23, 2017

Sean Spicer: Trump is “very sympathetic” to transgender students https://t.co/vyb6u7bCNy â€” Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) February 23, 2017

Some responses via Twitter:

Someone needs to ask Trump if he thinks racial segregation in public schools is also a states’ rights issue. â€” Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) February 23, 2017

Trump thinks protecting transgender students is a states’ rights issue, the same language racists used in the 1960s. https://t.co/VFAdufe36z â€” Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) February 23, 2017

Spicer’s ability to get through this press conference without ever saying the word “transgender” is genuinely impressive. â€” Jon Bershad (@JonBershad) February 23, 2017

Sean Spicer always unravels at some point. Today, it’s transgender restroom access that has pushed him over the edge. â€” Sarah McKinney (@Sarah1818) February 23, 2017

Spicer gets defensive about Transgender kids. Says Trump has a heart, but if you live in a red state… his heart is 3 sizes too small. â€” Suburban Flamingo (@Suburb_Flamingo) February 23, 2017

Spicer arguing that right of transgender kids to use bathroom of choice is states’ rights issue. In other words, not a civil rights issue. â€” Cathleen Decker (@cathleendecker) February 23, 2017

If you’re okay with states passing discirminatory laws, then you’re okay with discrimination. Trump is okay with discrimination. â€” Zack Ford (@ZackFord) February 23, 2017

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