President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday aimed at barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.
New Order Targets Title IX Protections
Titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” the order directs federal agencies, including the Justice and Education departments, to enforce Title IX based on the administration’s interpretation that defines “sex” as the gender assigned at birth.
“With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over,” Trump said at the signing ceremony.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the order “upholds the promise of Title IX” and will lead to immediate enforcement actions against schools and athletic organizations that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports or share single-sex locker rooms.
Broad Impact on Schools and Sports Organizations
The order gives the Education Department authority to penalize schools that permit transgender athletes to compete. Institutions found in violation could lose access to federal funding.
Additionally, the White House plans to hold a meeting with private sports organizations to hear from female athletes who claim they have faced unfair competition or personal discomfort due to transgender participation in women’s sports.
A Key Issue in Trump’s Campaign
Trump heavily campaigned on the issue, vowing to “keep men out of women’s sports.” Polling data suggested that opposition to transgender participation in female sports resonated beyond traditional party lines, with over half of voters believing transgender rights had gone too far.
His administration has taken multiple actions affecting transgender individuals, including restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare, military service, and legal recognition of gender identity.
Legal Challenges Expected
Civil rights lawyers argue that Trump’s executive orders may violate existing laws and constitutional protections, raising questions about whether he has the authority to dictate policies for organizations like the NCAA.
The NCAA has previously stated it would comply with federal law but has not yet responded to this latest directive.
The order comes just a day after three former teammates of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas sued the NCAA, Ivy League, and Penn, accusing them of violating Title IX by allowing Thomas to compete. Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, a vocal advocate against transgender athletes in women’s sports, joined Trump for the signing ceremony.
With lawsuits already underway, legal challenges to Trump’s new order are expected in the coming months.
