Democrats are trying to get under Trump’s skin.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a top Democrat rumored to be eyeing the White House in 2028, has sparked outrage after teaming up with 16 other Democrat-led states to sue President Donald Trump. The lawsuit seeks to overturn Trump’s new protections for children that block dangerous gender surgeries and hormone treatments on minors.
Shapiro claims his fight isn’t about supporting the controversial procedures — which critics say permanently harm children — but about “keeping the federal government out of the doctor’s office.”
Shapiro Sues to Stop Trump’s Child Protection Order
Shapiro told Fox News Digital that he is taking legal action against the Trump administration for what he described as unfounded civil probes and potential criminal charges targeting healthcare providers in Pennsylvania, accusing the president of attempting to strip parents and local communities of their ability to make medical decisions.
He added, “The freedom to make healthcare decisions should be between parents, their children, and their doctor.”
But Republicans say this is about much more than “healthcare decisions” — they argue Shapiro is aligning himself with the far-left on an issue where the vast majority of Americans side with Trump.
Republicans: Shapiro Is ‘Extreme’
The Pennsylvania Senate GOP blasted the move as a political stunt designed to appeal to radical activists ahead of Shapiro’s rumored presidential run.
“This is an attempt to ingratiate himself with the Democrats’ radical base,” said Senate Republican Campaign Committee Executive Director Cody Harbaugh. “It puts the health of children at risk.”
State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Gettysburg), a co-sponsor of the Save Women’s Sports Act, was even more direct after Shapiro labeled him and Trump “extremist politicians.”
“Let’s be honest — it’s Shapiro who’s extreme,” Mastriano said. “He’s denying science and forcing biological males into women’s sports. This is a woke patriarchy that tramples women’s rights.”
Trump Administration Hits Back Hard
The Trump White House swiftly responded, saying the lawsuit proves Democrats are out of touch with everyday Americans.
“This is precisely the kind of stance that has driven the Democratic Party’s approval ratings to record lows,” spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. “From his first day in office, President Trump acted decisively to end the horrific practice of mutilating and chemically castrating children… and this administration is confident it will ultimately prevail on this matter.”
Women’s Sports on the Line
Senator Judy Ward (R-Huntingdon), who sponsored the Save Women’s Sports Act, cautioned that failing to act could undo decades of advancements made under Title IX. Ward stressed, “We must protect the opportunities that Title IX secured for women.”
Mastriano also backed the Two-Gender Protection Act to stop state recognition of transgender identities, calling it common-sense protection for Pennsylvania families.
Shapiro’s ‘Moderate’ Image Under Fire
While Shapiro has occasionally broken with the far-left — such as when he demanded antisemitic protest camps at the University of Pennsylvania be shut down — Republicans say his lawsuit against Trump exposes his real priorities.
“Don’t believe him when he pretends to be a moderate,” Mastriano warned. “When it matters most, he sides with the radical left.”
Some Democrats say Shapiro’s leftward drift mirrors the success of socialist candidates like New York Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, whose mayoral run has energized progressives. Even so, Shapiro recently criticized Mamdani for refusing to denounce antisemitic supporters.
2028 Ambitions in the Spotlight
With polls showing him as the ninth most popular governor in America, Shapiro remains a favorite among Democrats — but his growing alignment with radical policies could become a major liability in a national race.
For now, his decision to challenge President Trump on protecting children and women’s sports has united conservatives against him and fired up the Republican base heading into 2026 and beyond.