Donald Trump faces backlash from inauguration singer Jackie Evancho on axeing transgender school toilet rules

The teenager who sang the American national anthem at Donald Trump’s inauguration is leading the backlash against the president’s decision to overturn protections for transgender students.

Opera singer Jackie Evancho, 16, who has a transgender sister, pleaded for a chance to discuss the issue with Mr Trump.

But her plea fell on deaf ears as the Trump administration announced yesterday that it is repealing guidelines put in place by President Obama allowing transgender pupils to use public school toilets and changing rooms that matched their chosen gender.

It will now be up to individual states and school districts to interpret whether sex discrimination law applies to gender identity.

“I am obviously disappointed in the @POTUS decision to send the #transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide. #sisterlove,” Miss Evancho tweeted on Wednesday.

“@realDonaldTrump u gave me the honor to sing at your inauguration. Pls give me & my sis the honor 2 meet with u to talk transgender rights,” she added.

The former "America's Got Talent" runner-up faced criticism for agreeing to perform at Mr Trump's inauguration, but she told ABC News that the positive reinforcement she received from her family and fans was ‘what matters to me.’

The singer also said that although her older sister, Juliet, was unable to attend because of ‘personal things,’ she knew that she had her support.

A letter rolling back the Obama protections was sent yesterday to schools across the US. It suggested the previous rules caused confusion and lawsuits over the way it should have been applied.

Despite the rumblings of discontent - which turned into street protests in some US cities last night - the White House defiantly refused to back down.

“As President Trump has clearly stated, he believes policy regarding transgender bathrooms should be decided at the state level,” the White House said in a statement.

InsideGov | Graphiq

“The joint decision made today by the Department of Justice and the Department of Education returning power to the states paves the way for an open and inclusive process to take place at the local level with input from parents, students, teachers and administrators."

The backlash on social media followed swiftly in the wake of Miss Evancho’s appeal.

“Trump's cowardice is markedly on show this evening. Transgender kids are braver than he and the rest of us put together,” wrote Stephen Brown.

“The Trump administration rolling back protections for transgender students is inhumane. Trans communities deserve our respect,” wrote youth group, United We Dream.

“Trump's action sends a terrible message to transgender students. But these students should know the law is on their side,” the ACLU tweeted.

“If there is a single consistent thing that defines Trump, it's his penchant for cruelty. Why make hurting transgender kids a priority?” Lily Mazahery wrote.

“Eighty per cent of transgender K-12 students are bullied. Trump's cruel removal of protections for trans kids puts the government on the side of bullies,” Duncan Hoosie tweeted.