Former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday barring transgender girls and women from female sports, citing fairness concerns. The order directs the Department of Justice to enforce the ban under Trump’s interpretation of Title IX, threatening to cut federal funding for non-compliant schools.
At the signing, Trump declared, “The war on women’s sports is over,” with young female athletes standing behind him. The NCAA welcomed the order, stating it provides a clear standard amid conflicting state laws.
The directive extends beyond schools, denying visas to transgender female athletes and pressuring the International Olympic Committee to revise its policies ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Trump’s move follows previous executive orders restricting transgender rights, including bans on federal healthcare support for gender transition and military service.
Legal challenges are expected. Federal courts have previously blocked bans in Idaho, West Virginia, and Arizona. A judge halted the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX interpretation, which protected transgender people from sex-based discrimination.
Critics, including Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ legal groups, call the ban discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing transgender athletes pose no real threat to fairness. “It’s an absurd way to approach these goals,” said attorney Chris Erchull.
Republican lawmakers praised the order, with Rep. Tim Walberg accusing Biden of undermining women’s progress to appease “radical fringes.” Public opinion polls suggest most Americans oppose transgender participation in female sports.
With 25 states already enforcing bans, Trump’s order reinforces ongoing political battles over transgender rights in athletics.
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