Trump Administration Sues California

In a major escalation of the national battle over transgender policies in schools, the Trump administration filed a federal lawsuit this week against the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). They argued California’s policies allowing biological males to compete in girls' sports violate Title IX protections for female athletes.

The lawsuit filed in the Central District of California comes after months of pressure from concerned parents, educators, and women’s rights advocates. They say the state’s transgender sports policies are robbing young women of athletic opportunities, fair competition, and scholarships.

Protecting Girls' Sports Under Title IX

Title IX, passed in 1972, was designed to ensure women and girls have equal opportunities in education, including athletics. The Trump administration argues California’s policy, which permits “transgender” males to compete against biological females, is a direct violation of those protections.

“This is about fairness, plain and simple,” said United States Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Biological males should not be allowed to dominate girls’ sports and take away opportunities that were hard-fought for under Title IX.”

The lawsuit seeks declaratory, injunctive, and financial relief, and warns California’s refusal to comply with federal civil rights laws could jeopardize billions in federal education funding. Currently, over $44.3 billion in federal education funds are tied to compliance with Title IX, and $3.8 billion remains unreleased due to the ongoing dispute.

The tipping point came earlier this year at the CIF State Track & Field Championships, when a biological male competing under a female identity, AB Hernandez, won several top finishes in girls’ events. Parents and athletes voiced their frustration as young women were denied podium spots and media coverage.

The lawsuit follows California’s outright refusal to adopt a resolution agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. That agreement would have required California to ban male athletes from competing in female categories and ensure future compliance with Title IX standards.

California officials, however, remain defiant. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Governor Gavin Newsom have defended the policy and point to the 2013 School Success and Opportunity Act as the reason why. This state law allows students to participate in school programs based on gender identity.

Governor Newsom has dismissed criticism as “extreme” and has leaned into woke ideology. The California Department of Education has also refused to amend its regulations or protect the rights of female athletes.

This lawsuit is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to restore fairness and biological integrity to American sports. The administration’s Executive Order 14201, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” has set a clear standard: sports teams should be based on biological sex, not gender identity!

The administration has also taken similar action against states like Minnesota and Maine. This is clearly not an isolated issue, but the Trump administration is taking a nationwide stand to protect girls’ sports.

The case is expected to face fierce opposition in the courts, potentially advancing all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

We’re grateful to the Trump administration for their commitment to protecting women and girls. If you’d like to sign our card thanking President Trump for this strong stance, click here.