Detransitioner Chloe Cole, who had previously undergone a female-to-male transition, strongly criticized Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for vetoing a bill that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors in the state. During an appearance on "Fox & Friends Weekend," Cole accused DeWine of being complicit in the "sterilization and mutilation" of children, asserting that parents do not have the right to abuse their children and that the state is enabling this abuse.

The Republican-backed bill, known as the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, aimed to prohibit gender-affirming procedures for minors and prevent transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. However, DeWine vetoed the bill, prompting outrage from conservatives who labeled him a “coward” for his decision. In his veto message, DeWine explained that signing the bill would mean that the government, rather than parents, would decide what is best for a child's medical care. He also emphasized the potential consequences the bill could have on children struggling with gender dysphoria, stating that some parents claimed their children's lives depended on the treatment they received.

Cole revealed that she had recently shared her personal experience with DeWine during a Zoom call, describing the various stages of her treatment and the young age at which she underwent these procedures. She claimed that the governor was visibly disturbed by her account, suggesting that he was aware of the harm being inflicted on children. Cole expressed her belief that DeWine's decision to veto the bill was not due to incompetence or ignorance but rather a deliberate choice to continue harmful practices.

During the Fox News segment, Cole reiterated her concerns about the side effects of gender transition procedures and her loss of trust in healthcare providers. She criticized what she referred to as the “lie” sold to her parents by "activist doctors," who claimed that her only options were a suicidal and eventually deceased daughter or a living transgender son. Cole argued that these children are not committing suicide because they were born in the wrong body but rather because they are not receiving the appropriate psychiatric help. She asserted that they need to be reassured that they are perfect in the bodies they were born with and called for DeWine's removal from office if he truly believes otherwise.

Fox News Digital reached out to DeWine's office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.