Justice Department Sues California, Oregon Athletes File Federal Transgender Sports Lawsuits

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against California over its policy permitting transgender student athletes to compete in female sports, asserting it violates federal anti-discrimination laws. This legal action is part of a larger conflict between President Donald Trump's administration and states like California and Oregon, which have adopted inclusive policies for transgender athletes despite federal opposition and threats to withhold funding. In Oregon, three high school girls have initiated a federal lawsuit aiming to overturn records set by transgender athletes and to bar them from girls' competitions, citing Title IX violations and alleging unfair competition. These plaintiffs were motivated in part by a public dispute between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and Riley Gaines, which brought increased attention to the debate over transgender participation in women's sports. The conservative America First Policy Institute is leading the lawsuits, which argue that allowing transgender athletes to compete disadvantages biological females and infringes on their rights to fair competition and free speech. Both California and Oregon's policies remain under federal scrutiny amid ongoing investigations and lawsuits challenging the inclusion of transgender athletes in female sports divisions.