Trump Administration Targets Trans Athletes, States Respond

The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to ban transgender youths from participating in school sports, with recent actions including the pausing of $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania following a controversy involving transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. The U.S. Education Department found that Maine violated Title IX by allowing a transgender athlete to win a girls' championship, threatening federal funding if policies are not reversed. Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom surprised many by supporting a ban on boys competing in girls’ sports, stating it is a fairness issue, which contradicts the California Interscholastic Federation's prior stance to defy federal policy. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has altered its policies to permit only those designated as female at birth to compete in girls' sports. These developments reflect a growing national debate surrounding transgender athletes and the implications for schools and sports organizations amid conflicting state and federal policies.