Trump signs executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from women’s sports

President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at keeping transgender women out of women’s sports by rescinding all funds from educational programs that allow transgender women to compete in women’s categories or to use women’s changing rooms.

Trump stated that the goal of this executive order is to “protect opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports,” citing Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and several Federal court cases including, Kansas v. U.S. Dept. of Education and Tennessee v. Cardona. Title IX states that, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” This provision has brought the definition of “sex” to the forefront, as debated in both federal court cases in Kansas and Tennessee. Trump used these cases to highlight his interpretation of “Congress’ goal of protecting biological women in education.”

Some athletes celebrated the executive order, including Riley Gaines, Kaitlynn Wheeler, and Danica Patrick. Kaitlynn Wheeler stated, “this is a victory for every girl who has fought for fairness, every woman who refused to be silenced and every future athlete who deserves a level playing field.”

Trans athletes claim that the order will have detrimental effect on the trans community, including Karleigh Webb, who said, “this is part of a whole program to essentially erase transgender Americans from American life.” There are concerns that the policy will have the effect of excluding transgender women from participating in sports, with opponents claiming the policy is discriminatory.

Charlie Baker, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (the “NCAA”) President, released a statement addressing the executive order:

The NCAA Board of Governors is reviewing the executive order and will take necessary steps to align NCAA policy in the coming days, subject to further guidance from the administration. The Association will continue to help foster welcoming environments on campuses for all student-athletes.

With the Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028, there is debate over whether trans athletes will be able to compete. The International Olympic Committee has allowed transgender athletes to participate at the Olympics since 2004, but the first trans athletes to compete were in 2021. Trump has made it clear he intends to challenge the Olympic Committee on this policy moving forward.