President Joe Biden had a message in his first address to a joint session of Congress. “To all transgender Americans watching at home, especially the young people, you are so brave,” he said. “I want you to know your president has your back.”

The context is a spate of bills in predominantly Republican states that seek to prevent either transgender athletes from competing against biological girls in girls sports or that restrict gender-transitioning treatments for minors. The Biden administration would like to reverse this trend, but its legal options are limited.