United States, February 6:
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports. The decision aligns with his administration’s stance on Title IX, which defines gender based on biological sex at birth.
The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” grants federal agencies the authority to enforce Title IX regulations in accordance with this definition. As a result, institutions receiving federal funding must comply with these guidelines when determining eligibility for female sports categories.
The signing event took place in the East Room of the White House, where the president was joined by legislators and female athletes, including former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, who has been a vocal supporter of such restrictions.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the executive order reinforces the original intent of Title IX and ensures that immediate measures will be taken against schools and athletic organizations that fail to uphold single-sex sports divisions and locker room access.
Announced on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, this move is part of a broader series of actions by the administration focusing on transgender policies. The issue has gained traction across political lines, with recent surveys indicating that a significant portion of voters believe transgender rights advocacy has gone too far.
During his campaign, Trump frequently addressed this topic, though specifics on policy enforcement were limited. This order now clarifies the administration’s approach by directing the Department of Education to penalize institutions that allow transgender participation in female sports, citing Title IX violations. Schools that do not adhere to these rules risk losing federal funding.
Enforcing these directives will be a key focus for the Department of Education. According to sources, the acting director of the Office for Civil Rights recently instructed staff to prioritize investigations in line with the administration’s agenda.
As the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles approach, the president also issued a directive to the International Olympic Committee, communicating his administration’s firm opposition to transgender participation in women’s sports events. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been assigned to engage with the IOC on this matter.
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