Trump Signs Executive Order Restricting Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday barring transgender athletes from competing on women’s school sports teams, marking another swift policy shift in his administration’s approach to gender and sports.

The order aligns with Trump’s campaign pledge to “keep men out of women’s sports” and comes just two weeks into his presidency. It follows other recent executive actions, including restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors and a rollback of previous policies supporting transgender military service members.

At a signing ceremony in the White House, Trump declared that his administration would “protect female athletes” and “ensure fair competition.” Standing behind him were several young female athletes, Republican lawmakers, state officials, and others who have publicly opposed transgender participation in women’s sports.

Policy Details and Legal Implications

The order directs federal agencies to rescind funding from educational institutions that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, citing concerns over fairness, safety, and privacy. It also instructs the Department of Justice to oversee enforcement and convene state attorneys general to develop implementation strategies.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, have strongly condemned the move, arguing that it perpetuates misinformation and creates unnecessary barriers for transgender youth. “This order could expose young people to harassment and discrimination,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson.

Legal challenges are expected, particularly following a recent federal ruling that struck down a Biden-era expansion of Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students. With Trump’s new order, the Education Department has reaffirmed its stance on enforcing Title IX based on “biological sex,” reversing policies that sought to protect transgender students’ rights in athletics and beyond.

As debates over transgender inclusion in sports continue at both state and federal levels, this executive order sets the stage for further legal and political battles in the months ahead.