Trump signed a controversial executive order on Wednesday that bans transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. The measure, officially titled the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order,” is the fourth executive action targeting transgender individuals that Trump has signed since returning to office on January 20.
“With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over,” Trump declared from the White House podium, flanked by dozens of women and girls in support of the measure.
In a press call ahead of the signing, White House officials insisted the order is not about transgender rights but about protecting “safe and fair athletic opportunities” for women. However, the language and impact of the order make clear that transgender athletes are the primary targets.
The executive order aims to achieve its goals through two key actions:
- Rolling Back Title IX Protections:
The order reverses guidance from the Biden administration related to Title IX, the civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. Under Biden’s guidance, schools were required to allow transgender students to participate in sports and use facilities aligned with their gender identities. Trump’s order will now bar students assigned male at birth from participating in girls’ and women’s sports or using women’s restrooms. The Department of Education has been tasked with investigating potential violations, and officials have stated they will “be asking for investigations.” - Broadening the Ban Beyond Schools:
The administration will also work with sports governing bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, to enforce the guidance beyond educational settings. This includes influencing U.S. visa policies. “If you are coming into the country and you are claiming that you are a woman, but you are a male here to compete against women, we’re going to be reviewing that for fraud,” one official said.
The executive order’s timing is notable—it was signed on the 39th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, a celebration established in 1987 to honor female athletes and inspire young girls to participate in sports. Critics argue that using this day to sign such a divisive order is a deliberate political statement.
Advocates for transgender rights have already condemned the executive order, calling it discriminatory and a direct attack on the LGBTQ+ community. Legal challenges are expected, as civil rights groups argue that the order violates constitutional protections and existing federal laws.
As the debate continues, this executive order is likely to fuel ongoing national conversations around gender identity, sports, and civil rights.
Stay tuned for updates as reactions and legal responses unfold.
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