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Inauguration singer has a request for Trump following transgender student directive
Jackie Evancho sings the National Anthem on Jan. 20 following President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony. (Getty Images/Mandel Ngan)

Inauguration singer has a request for Trump following transgender student directive

When 16-year-old Jackie Evancho agreed to sing the National Anthem at President Donald Trump's inauguration last month, she opened the door to a lot of heat from Trump's critics. But now, the young "America's Got Talent" star has some criticism — and a request — for the president.

The Trump administration formally scaled back on an Obama-era guidance Wednesday that called for public schools to allow transgender students to use whichever restroom they felt more comfortable with — which may be the restroom that coincided with the student's gender identity, not sex.

Now, Trump's directive returns discretion to the individual states to interpret whether the Education Department's Title IX amendment is applicable to transgender students.

Evancho, whose sibling Juliet is transgender, is an ardent supporter of LGBT rights. In a couple of tweets Wednesday, the young singer said she is "disappointed" by the Trump administration's decision.

But she also had a request for the president — visit with her and Juliet.

"[You] gave me the honor [to] sing at your inauguration. [Please] give me & my sis the honor [to] meet with [you] to talk transgender rights," Evancho tweeted Wednesday evening.

When asked about Evancho's decision to sing at Trump's inauguration last month, Juliet was supportive of Jackie and told Billboard that it was an "honor" for the artist to perform.

"The way I look at it is Jackie is singing for our country, and it's an honor for her to be singing in front of so many people," Juliet said.

Billboard reported that Juliet, who was born as Jacob, is currently involved in a lawsuit with a Pennsylvania school district over using the women's restroom.

As the New York Times reported in January, Juliet is a high school senior and hopes to pursue the year following graduation advocating for gay and transgender rights — but not in a political way.

"I’m getting out and advocating," Juliet told the Times. "It’s not really for any superpolitical aspect when it comes to a presidency."

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