The Department of Health and Human Services released a report in August 2026 examining potential links between support for gender-affirming care and political violence. Titled “Where the Clinic Meets the Movement: Does Gender Ideology Arm Left-Wing Authoritarian Psychology?,” the report has sparked significant controversy among academic researchers and health policy experts regarding its methodology and underlying assumptions.
The report, authored by researchers including Colin Wright from the Manhattan Institute, concludes that support for gender-affirming care may serve as an “ideological accelerant” that could predispose individuals toward political violence. The study surveyed approximately 1,200 adults regarding their views on gender-affirming medical care, government censorship, capitalism, and whether violence is justified against specific political figures. However, the report has not undergone peer review, and its underlying data and funding sources remain unavailable to other researchers.
Multiple academic experts have criticized the report’s design and conclusions. Alexander Tsai, a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School, stated that the study’s “ideological accelerant” conclusion lacks support in the actual data presented. Liliana Mason, a political psychologist at Johns Hopkins University specializing in political violence research, identified several methodological problems, including a survey sample that overrepresents Democrats compared to national political demographics. Mason indicated she would recommend rejection if reviewing the paper for publication.
Adrian Shanker, a former deputy assistant secretary for health policy at HHS during the Biden administration, noted that the department’s approach contrasts sharply with previous practice. Rather than working with nonpartisan science writing firms, he stated, the current administration appears to be partnering with politically-aligned researchers to reach predetermined conclusions. HHS did not respond to requests for comment regarding the report’s methodology or findings.
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