California families celebrate Trump administration’s probe into state’s refusal to follow trans athlete order

President Trump’s Department of Education Investigates California’s Public School Athletic Association

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) under President Donald Trump has launched an investigation into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body for public school athletics in California, for its alleged noncompliance with an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. The decision to investigate comes after the CIF allowed transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, a policy that has sparked widespread debate across the nation. The California Family Council (CFC), a conservative advocacy group, has welcomed the investigation, arguing that the CIF’s policies undermine fairness, safety, and the integrity of women’s athletics. The CFC contends that the CIF has prioritized "radical gender ideology" over the concerns of female athletes, parents, and coaches.

Sophia Lorey, Outreach Director for the CFC, expressed her support for the Trump administration’s intervention, stating that it brought her "tears of joy." Lorey, a former CIF varsity athlete, has been advocating for female athletes affected by the inclusion of transgender athletes in California for three years. She believes the CIF has ignored the harm caused to female athletes and hopes the investigation will force the organization to prioritize their safety and fairness over the feelings of transgender athletes. Lorey’s advocacy gained attention after she intervened in a controversy at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, where a transgender athlete took a varsity spot from a female cross-country runner.

Athletes and Parents Speak Out Against CIF’s Policies

The debate over transgender athletes in girls’ sports has deeply divided communities, with some athletes and parents expressing frustration over what they perceive as unfair competition. Taylor Starling, a high school cross-country runner, and her teammate Kaitlyn Slavin made headlines after they created "Save Girls Sports" T-shirts to protest the inclusion of transgender athletes. When school administrators allegedly reprimanded them for wearing the shirts and compared them to swastikas, the girls filed a lawsuit against the school district. Taylor’s father, Ryan Starling, praised the Trump administration for taking action, calling it a "long-fought battle" for common sense to prevail.

Amber French, a women’s swimmer at California Baptist University, also weighed in on the issue. She argued that allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports deprives biological female athletes of college opportunities and jeopardizes their safety. French emphasized that separate categories for male and female sports exist for a reason and that allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ events undermines the hard work and dedication of female athletes. She called the DOE’s investigation a crucial first step toward protecting the integrity and fairness of women’s sports.

School Administrators Demand Accountability

Even some school administrators within the CIF’s jurisdiction have expressed support for the DOE’s investigation. Sonja Shaw, President of the Chino Unified School Board and a mother of two CIF athletes, called for consequences for institutions that allow transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports. Shaw argued that such policies have pushed female athletes aside, compromised their safety, and stolen their opportunities. She urged the CIF and other entities violating Title IX to face penalties, including the withdrawal of funding. "We warned you, CIF," Shaw said. "Now, face the consequences."

CIF and Broader Implications of the Investigation

The CIF acknowledged that it had been notified of the investigation but declined to comment further, stating it does not comment on pending investigations. The DOE is also investigating other entities, including Minnesota’s high school athletics association, San Jose State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, for similar issues involving transgender athletes competing in women’s or girls’ sports. The investigation into the CIF is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce its executive order on transgender athletes in sports, a move that has been met with both praise and criticism across the country.

This investigation highlights the ongoing debate over fairness, inclusion, and gender identity in athletics. While some argue that transgender athletes should be allowed to compete according to their gender identity, others believe that biological differences create an unfair advantage in women’s sports. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for schools, athletes, and sports organizations nationwide, as the nation grapples with how to balance equality and fairness in competitive athletics.