Trump Administration Takes Aim at California Interscholastic Federation over Transgender Athlete Policies
Executive Order Triggers Investigation
The Department of Education (DOE) under President Donald Trump has announced its plans to investigate the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body for high school athletics in California, for alleged noncompliance with the president’s executive order banning transgender athletes from girls sports. The move has sparked praise from conservative groups and frustration from proponents of transgender rights.
Praise from California Family Council
"The California Family Council celebrates the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to launch a Title IX investigation into the CIF for its role in allowing males to compete in girls sports," said the organization in a statement. "For too long, CIF has turned a blind eye to the concerns of female athletes, parents and coaches, prioritizing radical gender ideology over fairness, safety and the integrity of women’s athletics."
Advocates Speak Out
Sophia Lorey, Outreach Director for the California Family Council, expressed her joy over the Trump administration’s intervention. "As a four-year CIF varsity athlete and a three-year captain, I have been fighting for all girls to have the same athletic opportunities I had," Lorey said. "CIF’s policies have undermined decades of hard-fought victories for female athletes, and it’s time for them to answer for the harm they’ve caused."
Lorey’s advocacy has included intervening at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, where a controversy erupted over a transgender athlete taking a varsity spot from a girls’ cross-country runner. Taylor Starling, the girl in question, subsequently filed a lawsuit against the school district for allegedly prohibiting her from wearing a "Save Girls Sports" T-shirt.
Parents Express Gratitude
Ryan Starling, Taylor’s father, expressed his gratitude to the Trump administration for taking action. "Our family can’t thank President Trump enough," Starling said. "This has been a long-fought battle for so many people on so many fronts. The battle is not over in the state of California, but each day we are moving a step closer because of so many courageous people like Taylor and Kaitlyn."
School Board President’s Perspective
Sonja Shaw, President of the Chino Unified School Board, echoed the sentiments of those celebrating the investigation. "As a mother of two CIF athletes, school board president and advocate for children, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of these policies," Shaw said. "Girls are being pushed aside, their safety is compromised and their opportunities are being stolen."
Female Athlete’s Concern
Amber French, a women’s swimmer at California Baptist University, raised concerns about the impact of transgender athletes competing in girls sports. "If you allow males to compete in female sports, less females will have the opportunity to go to CIF and swim in front of college coaches to get recruited," French said. "Allowing males who do not want to compete against their sex compete in female races takes away from all the hard-working female athletes."
CIF Acknowledges Investigation
The CIF has acknowledged the forthcoming investigation but declined to provide further comment. The DOE is also investigating similar issues at the University of Pennsylvania, San Jose State University, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Other Investigations
The DOE’s investigation into the CIF is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to enforce its executive order on transgender athletes. The University of Pennsylvania is being investigated for allowing a transgender swimmer to compete on the women’s team. San Jose State University is under scrutiny for allegedly allowing a transgender athlete to participate in women’s track and field events. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is being investigated for its policy allowing transgender athletes to compete based on their gender identity.
Opposition and Advocacy
The Trump administration’s actions have drawn criticism from advocates for transgender rights. Critics argue that the executive order and subsequent investigations are discriminatory and undermine the rights of transgender athletes. Proponents of the executive order, on the other hand, maintain that it is necessary to protect the fairness and integrity of women’s sports.
