Trump administration investigates universities over transgender athlete policies

In the United States, the U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations targeting San Jose State University and the University of Pennsylvania following recent actions from the Trump administration regarding transgender athletes. This initiative arises after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at prohibiting transgender individuals from competing in women's sports, claiming such participation undermines Title IX’s provisions against sex discrimination in education. The investigations specifically address concerns about potential Title IX violations linked to transgender athletes’ involvement in athletic programs. San Jose State is under scrutiny due to a transgender athlete's participation on the women's volleyball team, while the University of Pennsylvania is being investigated related to Lia Thomas, the first openly transgender athlete to secure a Division I title in 2022 with their women's swim team. These reviews highlight the ongoing conflict surrounding transgender participation in sports and the federal government’s efforts to impose stricter regulations on educational institutions regarding the treatment of transgender athletes. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is also part of the investigations for allowing a transgender athlete to compete on a girls’ high school basketball team, an incident that reportedly led to injuries and a forfeit during a game. Athletic associations that do not typically receive federal funding raise questions about the Department's authority to conduct such inquiries. Advocates for transgender rights have criticized the executive order and the subsequent investigations, arguing that transgender students should enjoy equal opportunities in educational and athletic environments. The situation occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions over Title IX and its application, as prior guidelines established under former President Joe Biden expanded protections for LGBTQ students. A federal judge overturned these rules recently, arguing they represented an overreach. This has resulted in further investigations and conflicts over school policies related to transgender rights. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights can review institutions and potentially cut federal funding, but this requires court approval and fails to resolve any issues through negotiation. As investigations unfold, various stakeholders, including advocacy groups, educational institutions, and lawmakers, are closely monitoring the implications of these actions on both transgender rights and the principles of Title IX.