Trump administration sues California over transgender athletes
CBS22 hrs
DOJ Sues California Over Trans Athletes Policy
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump signs the "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order on Feb. 5, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This lawsuit protects girls' fundamental right to fair competition and equal opportunities in sports. Biological males have undeniable physical advantages that displace female athletes from podiums, scholarships, and recognition they've earned through hard work. California's discriminatory policies force girls to compete against boys and share intimate spaces like locker rooms, creating hostile environments that undermine Title IX's core purpose of ensuring equal access to educational benefits for women and girls.
Democratic narrative
California is defending the civil rights of all students, including transgender youth, by following established state law that has protected students since 2013. The Trump administration is weaponizing a vulnerable population for political theater while threatening to defund education for nearly three million California girls. No court has endorsed the federal government's discriminatory interpretation of Title IX, and states must remain free to protect transgender students from harassment and discrimination.