Trump signs executive order banning transgender women from women’s sports
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender women from competing in female sports categories, a move that has sparked controversy and divided public opinion. While Republican supporters argue that the measure restores fairness in women’s sports, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and human rights organizations have condemned it as discriminatory.
The order, which takes immediate effect, primarily targets high schools, universities, and grassroots sports. It grants authority to the Department of Education to investigate schools suspected of non-compliance with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Several international sports governing bodies, including those overseeing swimming, athletics, and golf, have already banned transgender women from competing in elite female categories if they have undergone male puberty. Trump’s executive order aligns with these policies and expands enforcement at the national level.
White House officials, speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, confirmed that the order aims to reverse the stance of the previous Biden administration, which had extended federal protections to LGBTQ+ students, including transgender athletes. Defending the decision, Trump asserted that allowing transgender women to compete in female sports or access women’s locker rooms would be considered a violation of Title IX, potentially leading to federal funding cuts for non-compliant institutions.
In addition to domestic enforcement, the Trump administration has announced plans to pressure international sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to uphold similar restrictions at events held on US soil. Specifically, Trump has vowed to enforce these policies at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Before signing the order, Trump asserted that his administration was taking decisive action to protect the integrity of women’s sports, emphasizing that it would not allow transgender women to compete against female athletes. He also instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security to deny entry to any athlete attempting to compete in international events hosted in the US while identifying as a woman, claiming it would safeguard fairness in competition.
The White House also plans to engage with sporting organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), inviting female athletes and their parents to discuss their concerns about transgender participation in women’s sports.
The executive order has faced significant backlash from human rights organizations, who argue that it fosters discrimination and exclusion. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, condemned the policy, stating that it creates an environment where young people may face increased scrutiny and harassment based on their gender identity. She emphasized that sports should serve as a space for inclusivity and personal growth rather than a battleground for political agendas. Instead of supporting student athletes, she argued, such policies only make life more difficult for those who do not conform to rigid gender norms.
Research from the UCLA Williams Institute estimates that less than 1% of the US population over the age of 13 identifies as transgender, with an even smaller percentage participating in competitive sports.
Trump’s latest move follows a previous executive order signed on his first day in office, which mandated that the federal government officially define sex as either male or female. As the debate over transgender rights and sports eligibility continues, the legal and social implications of Trump’s policies are expected to face intense scrutiny in the coming months.