Trump Administration Criticizes California’s Policy on Transgender Athletes
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday that California’s decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in sports according to their gender identity is in violation of Title IX. This declaration follows a recent controversy surrounding the participation of AB Hernandez, a transgender student who triumphed in multiple events at the state track-and-field championships.
Overview of the Investigation
After Hernandez, a junior from Jurupa Valley High School, claimed victories in the high jump and triple jump, and secured a second-place finish in the long jump, the Trump administration launched an inquiry into California’s policies concerning transgender athletes. In its findings, the federal agency stated that the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) failed to uphold “equal opportunity” for female athletes due to their inclusive competition policies.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized, “The Trump Administration will relentlessly enforce Title IX protections for women and girls… California has failed to adhere to its obligations under federal law.” She warned that California must align itself with Title IX or face significant repercussions.
Background and Implications
The inquiry was prompted by President Trump’s comments earlier this month, criticizing California’s policy as detrimental to female athletes. Trump labeled the situation as “unfair” and threatened to withdraw federal funding if Hernandez was allowed to participate. Despite the warnings, Hernandez competed and excelled, leading to a change in CIF rules to ensure that other competitors retained their standings regardless of Hernandez’s presence.
Title IX Compliance Requirements
As part of the proposed Resolution Agreement, the Department of Education outlined a series of stipulations that the CIF and the California Department of Education must adhere to, which include:
- Compliance with Title IX, which prohibits allowing transgender girls to compete in women’s sports.
- Adoption of “biology-based” definitions of male and female.
- Notification to all federally funded schools that Title IX supersedes any state laws.
- Restoration of records and awards to cisgender athletes affected by the competition of transgender athletes.
- Sending personalized apology letters from the California Department of Education to affected athletes.
Potential Consequences for Non-compliance
The CIF and California Department of Education have been given a 10-day window to respond to the proposed agreement. Should they fail to reach a consensus, the Trump administration warned that it may pursue enforcement actions, potentially handing over the case to the Department of Justice.
| Event | Result | Award Status |
|---|---|---|
| High Jump | Winner: AB Hernandez | Co-winner with two cisgender athletes |
| Triple Jump | Winner: AB Hernandez | Co-winner with two cisgender athletes |
| Long Jump | Second place: AB Hernandez | N/A |
Reactions from California Officials
In response to the federal stance, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office issued a sharp critique of Secretary McMahon’s statements, arguing that her rhetoric is more akin to entertainment from her past career rather than a serious policy discussion. “This won’t stick,” the governor’s office proclaimed, reinforcing their commitment to the protections afforded to transgender athletes under California law.
