U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender women and girls from participating in female sports, declaring that “the war on women’s sports is over.” The directive, issued on Monday, instructs the Department of Justice to ensure federal agencies enforce a ban on transgender female athletes in school sports, aligning with Trump’s interpretation of Title IX, the law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.
At a White House signing ceremony, Trump emphasized the importance of protecting female athletes. “My administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes,” he said, surrounded by about 100 women and girls, many of whom wore sports jerseys and uniforms.
The order threatens to withdraw federal funding from any school that allows transgender women or girls to compete in female sports categories. While the measure is expected to affect a small number of athletes, it has sparked intense debate. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), fewer than 10 transgender athletes currently compete among the 530,000 athletes across its 1,100 member schools.
The NCAA has welcomed the executive order, citing the need for a unified national standard in light of conflicting state laws and court rulings. The association announced plans to revise its policies to align with the new directive, pending further guidance from the administration. Currently, the NCAA mandates that transgender women athletes adhere to specific testosterone limits based on their respective sports.
Public opinion on the issue remains divided. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose transgender athletes competing in categories matching their gender identity. Trump’s campaign has capitalized on this sentiment, featuring television ads and rally speeches denouncing transgender participation in female sports. The issue has gained traction in Republican-led states, with 25 states enacting laws to ban transgender girls from competing in female sports.
Legal challenges to the executive order are expected. Federal courts have largely upheld the right of transgender girls to compete, blocking bans in Idaho, West Virginia, and Arizona. However, a January ruling from a federal judge in Kentucky struck down the Biden administration’s 2024 interpretation of Title IX, which extended protections to transgender individuals.
Trump’s executive order sets the stage for further legal battles as advocacy groups prepare to challenge its enforcement. The coming months are expected to bring heightened scrutiny and debate over the impact of the measure on both transgender rights and women’s sports.
