The Justice Department has sued California for allowing transgender athletes to compete in female sports. The Trump administration argues that California violated Title IX, after both the state’s Department of Education and California’s Interscholastic Federation refused to sign a resolution agreement on the issue.
Investigation finds policy violates Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education investigated California’s policies and found the state in violation of Title IX. The department cited the state allowing athletes to compete based on gender identity rather than biological sex.
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In June, a letter was sent to the California Department of Education and the state’s interscholastic federation, which oversees high school sports, outlining the violations and demanding a response by July 7.
When no response was given, the Department of Justice filed suit.
“These discriminatory policies and practices ignore undeniable biological differences between boys and girls, in favor of an amorphous ‘gender identity,’” the lawsuit stated. “In the words of the governor of California, it is ‘deeply unfair’ for girls to compete against boys.”
Following news of the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office responded.
“No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX that is being advanced by the federal government, and neither the Governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it,” Izzy Gardon said.
The lawsuit did not name Gov. Gavin Newsom personally.
Newsom, Trump on the issue
Newsom commented on the issue months ago, calling it “deeply unfair” for girls to compete against a transgender athlete, but also reiterated there needs to be respect for the trans community when addressing potential policy changes.
The debate intensified in June after a transgender athlete won multiple titles at California’s high school girls’ track championship.
President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling the situation “not fair” and threatening to pull federal funding.
Ahead of the track event, California’s Interscholastic Federation revised its rules, ensuring that biological females who lost placement to a transgender athlete would still be awarded.
Now, the Trump administration is pushing not only to revoke funding but also to force changes to state policy.
While California’s Department of Education isn’t commenting on the case, Assembly Education Committee Chair Al Muratsuchi told Politico, “Youth sports should continue to be open to all students, and the number of transgender athletes in girls sports is such a minuscule number that the Trump administration should stop using this as a wedge issue and focus on supporting all kids.”
Trump administration heavily pursues issue
The Trump administration has pursued the issue in other states as well, suing Maine in April. The DOJ has launched investigations into more than two dozen states, universities and sports bodies.
On July 1, the University of Pennsylvania agreed to revoke swimming records set by transgender athlete Lia Thomas after the Trump administration froze federal funds to the school. That funding was later released following the school’s agreement to ban trans athletes from competing on women’s teams.
