HRLA joins the ADF in expressing hope that this new administration will “advance an agenda for America that allows freedom and families to flourish.”

Few public figures have ignited such intense emotions as Donald J. Trump, the newly elected President of the United States.

While much has been written about the political and legal landscape that has led to his victory, a key question for those of us committed to defending fundamental rights and freedoms is how his presidency will impact those freedoms.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an allied partner of HRLA, is hopeful that “President Trump’s election victory has set the stage for ADF to begin the work of undoing the damage caused by the last administration”.

In particular, ADF anticipates opportunities to reverse Biden-era policies that threaten fundamental freedoms, including free speech, parental rights, and protections for life, saying that the “previous administration launched broad attacks on some of our most fundamental freedoms, and there’s much work to be done to reverse the effects of those attacks”.

It has identified three areas where a Trump administration can promote freedom for every American: “rejecting government censorship”, “uprooting dangerous gender ideology” and “dismantling the administrative state”.

HRLA joins the ADF in expressing hope that this new administration will “advance an agenda for America that allows freedom and families to flourish,” as ADR President Kristen Waggoner expressed last week, and realign the country with its core values: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The protection of our most fundamental rights – religious freedom, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech – has dominated policy conversations in the lead up to this election on a number of fronts, including censorship, gender ideology, and the rights of unborn babies and of medical practitioners with conscientious objections.

The battles being fought by organisations like the ADF in the United States are similar to those that HRLA is facing here in Australia.

HRLA’s work with clients like Chris Elston (“Billboard Chris”) is pushing back against increasing censorship by governments in Australia. Mr Elston, a Canadian father, is challenging the Australian eSafety Commissioner’s removal of a tweet critical of transgender ideology. X Corp, owned by Elon Musk, is also challenging the Commissioner’s order.

Likewise, HRLA client Dr Jillian Spencer is pushing back against the forced gender ideology of her employer, the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and its attempt to compel her to use an “affirmation” model to treating children with gender confusion, including “preferred pronouns” and names in all communication and clinical records. This violates Dr Spencer’s professional opinion and her right to freedom of speech, thought, conscience and belief.

At the election, ordinary, everyday Americans rejected the progressive ideology of elites in the Democratic Party that erodes the freedoms of people like Billboard Chris and Dr Spencer. A new administration creates an opportunity for a reset of government, policy, law and culture and a positive development towards the fundamental rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens.

HRLA is hopeful that this might represent a turning of the tide in other Western nations including Australia.