Former HHS official Rachel Levine speaks on stage during the "Takling the Youth Mental-Health Crisis" panel for The Atlantic Festival on Sept. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for The Atlantic)
Levine responded to the move both personally and through a spokesman in statements to NPR.
"During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine's photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name," Adrian Shanker, a spokesman for Levine, told NPR, going on to describe the move as an act "of bigotry against her."
President Donald Trump's administration has rolled back many of the pro-transgender programs implemented under former President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
"Gender-affirming care is medical care," Levine said in 2023. "Gender-affirming care is mental health care. Gender-affirming care is literally suicide prevention care."
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on X: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hhs-changes-transgender-biden-officials-nameplate-back-birth-name-during-shutdown