U.S. Education Dept Finds California Violates Title IX, Threatens Funding Loss

The Trump administration, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, has determined that California violated Title IX by allowing a transgender male athlete to compete in girls' high school track and field events, prompting a federal investigation and potential loss of substantial federal funding for the state. McMahon emphasized that California has 10 days to comply by issuing apologies to female athletes affected and restoring their titles or face referral to the Department of Justice. President Trump criticized the inclusion of a biological male in female sports as demeaning and backed enforcement of Title IX based on biological sex, aligning with his executive order to keep men out of women's sports. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights confirmed violations by the California Department of Education and California Interscholastic Federation following the athlete's participation, highlighting the state's failure to protect female athletes' rights. Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines praised the decision and called for restoration of records and formal apologies, underscoring the ongoing debate about fairness and biological sex in sports. The issue has sparked national controversy, including public disputes among athletes and political leaders, emphasizing the broader cultural and legal implications of transgender athlete participation in female sports categories.