The Trump administration’s Department of Justice has announced plans to sue California for allegedly violating Title IX by allowing transgender-identifying males to compete in women’s sports. This legal action comes after California rejected a resolution from the federal government that aimed to enforce a ban on such participation.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized the importance of Title IX, which was created to protect women and girls from discrimination in sports. She stated that the Justice Department will not tolerate policies that undermine girls’ rights to compete for scholarships and awards. Dhillon criticized what she termed "woke gender ideology," suggesting it compromises the integrity of women’s sports.
The conflict escalated after the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the California Department of Education (CDE) refused to sign the proposed resolution agreement from the Justice Department. This agreement followed findings from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which concluded that California was violating Title IX by allowing men to compete in women’s athletic events.
In a press release, the OCR indicated that California had ten days to comply with federal law or face enforcement actions, including a referral to the DOJ. The lawsuit cites California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent comments, where he acknowledged the fairness issues surrounding biological males competing in women’s sports.
The Justice Department criticized California’s policies for harming girls’ athletic opportunities and creating uncomfortable environments for them, particularly in shared spaces like locker rooms. Education Secretary Linda McMahon reiterated that the findings of noncompliance were serious and that the DOJ’s lawsuit was a necessary step to uphold Title IX.
McMahon highlighted that this issue aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to enforcing the law regarding women’s rights in sports. The lawsuit represents a significant clash between federal and state policies on transgender participation in athletics, reflecting broader societal debates on gender and fairness in sports.