UPenn Ordered to Strip Lia Thomas of Titles

The U.S. Department of Education found the University of Pennsylvania violated Title IX by allowing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in women's sports and use women's facilities. Federal officials ordered UPenn to strip Thomas of all women's athletic titles, records, and awards, restoring them to female athletes, and to formally apologize to those affected. The university has 10 days to comply or face possible prosecution and referral to the Justice Department. This action follows a $175 million federal funding freeze imposed during the Trump administration and an ongoing lawsuit from former Penn swimmers over the school's transgender athlete policies. UPenn has stated it followed NCAA and Ivy League guidelines at the time, but has not responded to the new directive. The case has reignited national debate over transgender participation in women's sports and Title IX compliance.