Latest news with #Thisis
The Hill
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
DOJ sues California over alleged Title IX violations on trans athletes
The Justice Department on Wednesday took legal action against California over the state's refusal to comply with orders from the Trump administration to ban transgender girls from girls' school sports teams. The department's Civil Rights Division sued the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which oversees high school sports in the state, over what it said was a pattern of 'illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes.' Either agency has declined to bar transgender student-athletes from competing in line with their gender identity despite repeated warnings from the White House and a personal threat to the state's 'large scale federal funding' from President Trump. Investigations launched earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found both the state Education Department and the CIF in violation of Title IX, the federal law against sex discrimination in schools that the Trump administration has said prohibits trans athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports. An executive order Trump signed in February states the U.S. opposes 'male competitive participation in women's sports' and that allowing transgender student-athletes to compete in female sports violates Title IX's promise of equal athletic opportunity. California's Department of Education and the CIF had until July 7 to sign a proposed resolution agreement with OCR that would have required public schools across the state to kick transgender girls off girls' sports teams and strip them of their athletic titles and records. Cisgender girls who competed against trans student-athletes would have been sent personal apology letters, according to the proposal. On Monday, both the state Education Department and the CIF said they would not sign OCR's resolution agreement. Len Garfinkel, general counsel for California's Department of Education, wrote in a brief communication that the department 'respectfully disagrees with OCR's analysis' that it broke federal law. A 2013 state law signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown (D) explicitly protects the right of transgender students to compete on teams that match their gender identity. The Justice Department announced in May that it is investigating whether that law conflicts with Title IX. Representatives for California's Department of Education and the CIF did not immediately return requests for comment on Wednesday's lawsuit. A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has clashed publicly with Trump over the president's threats to the state's funding and recent immigration raids in Los Angeles, did not respond to a request for comment. In the debut episode of his podcast, 'This is Gavin Newsom,' in March, Newsom said he found transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports 'deeply unfair,' breaking with most other elected Democrats. At a press conference in Modesto, Calif., the following month, Newsom, a likely contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, said he would be 'open' to a conversation about limiting trans athletes' participation if it were conducted 'in a way that's respectful and responsible and could find a kind of balance.' Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials have latched onto Newsom's comments about trans athletes, demanding the governor stand on his beliefs and act against their participation. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called Newsom's remarks 'empty political grandstanding' on Monday after California's Education Department and the CIF declined to sign OCR's proposed resolution agreement. 'The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is 'deeply unfair' to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,' Attorney General Pam Bondi said in announcing Wednesday's lawsuit. 'But not only is it 'deeply unfair,' it is also illegal under federal law.' Since Trump's return to office in January, the administration has aggressively pursued the issue of trans athletes, launching investigations into more than two dozen states, school districts, athletic associations and colleges and universities. The University of Pennsylvania last week agreed to bar transgender athletes from its women's sports teams and remove individual women's swimming records set by Lia Thomas, a former student and the first trans woman to win an NCAA Division I championship in 2022. In a letter addressed to the Penn community, J. Larry Jameson, the university's president, wrote that refusing to sign the administration's agreement 'could have had significant and lasting implications for the University of Pennsylvania.' The Trump administration previously suspended $175 million in federal contracts awarded to Penn. That money was released to the school after it signed the agreement. The Justice Department has also taken legal action against Maine over its refusal to ban transgender girls from participating in girls' school sports. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills called the suit 'an unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine to ignore the Constitution and abandon the rule of law.' In April, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) sued Trump and Bondi over threats to that state's federal funding if it did not comply with Trump's order to bar transgender students from participating on teams that match their gender identity.
The Hill
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
California rejects Trump demand to ban trans athletes
California education officials have formally rejected the Trump administration's demand to bar transgender girls from girls' school sports teams, escalating tensions between the Golden State and the White House. The state's Department of Education on Monday declined to sign a proposed resolution agreement with the administration that would have required it to instruct schools across California to ban trans girls from girls' sports; adopt 'biology-based' definitions of the terms 'male' and 'female;' strip transgender female athletes of their titles and records and apologize to cisgender girls for allowing their educational experiences 'to be marred by sex discrimination.' The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent the proposal to California's Education Department and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which oversees high school sports in the state, late last month following investigations that concluded the agencies were violating Title IX, the federal law against sex discrimination in schools. President Trump's administration has argued since his return to power in January that Title IX prohibits schools from allowing transgender student-athletes to compete on girls' and women's sports teams. At a signing ceremony for a February executive order opposing their participation, Trump said he was putting schools that refuse to kick trans girls off girls' sports teams 'on notice' and threatened their funding. He took explicit aim at California in May, writing on Truth Social that he would pull 'large scale federal funding' from the state if it did not take immediate action to prevent a transgender 16-year-old from competing in a state high school track-and-field championship meet later that month. State officials refused, and the student shared the second- and first-place podiums with other girls at the state finals in Clovis, Calif., in June, after the CIF changed its competition rules to allow additional students to compete and medal in events where she qualified. In a brief communication to OCR on Monday, California Education Department General Counsel Len Garfinkel wrote that the department 'respectfully disagrees with OCR's analysis, and it will not sign the proposed resolution agreement.' In a separate letter, Diane Marshall-Freeman, general counsel to the CIF, said the organization would also not sign the proposed agreement. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who posted screenshots of both letters on her official X account, criticized the responses and said earlier comments by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) expressing some reservations about allowing transgender girls to compete against and alongside cisgender girls were 'empty political grandstanding.' The California governor and likely contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination said during a March episode of his podcast, 'This is Gavin Newsom,' that he found transgender athletes participating in girls' and women's athletics 'deeply unfair.' He told reporters the following month that he would be 'open' to a conversation about limiting trans athletes' participation if it were conducted 'in a way that's respectful and responsible and could find a kind of balance.' McMahon said on Tuesday that Newsom would soon hear from Attorney General Pam Bondi, emphasizing a provision in the proposed resolution agreement that California's Education Department and the CIF would face 'imminent enforcement action,' including by the Justice Department, if an agreement were not reached by July 7. A spokesperson for Newsom did not immediately return a request for comment. The Department of Justice is already investigating whether a 2013 California law protecting the right of transgender student-athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity violates Title IX. California's refusal to comply with the administration's demands to ban trans students from girls' and women's sports comes days after the University of Pennsylvania agreed to do so following a similar OCR investigation. The school, Trump's alma mater, also agreed to remove from its leaderboard individual women's swimming records set by Lia Thomas, a former student and the first transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I national championship. For months, the Trump administration has been locked in a battle over transgender athletes' participation in Maine, which, like California, has refused to ban trans girls from girls' school sports despite the White House's demands.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom launches Substack to fight 'disinformation'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom already had a podcast. Now he has a Substack, too. Newsom launched his own site Tuesday on the popular spot for independent journalists, calling it a way to "break through "the noise." "We have to flood the zone and continue to cut through the right-wing disinformation machine," he wrote in the post that was accompanied by a video of the governor speaking. "There's so much mis and disinformation out there, there's so much noise, I don't need to tell you that," Newsom said. "The question is, how do we break through all of that noise and engage in real conversations? And that's why I'm launching on Substack. I hope you'll follow me so we can continue to engage in a two-way conversation at this critical moment in our history." Gov Gavin Newsom: Trump Is Trying To Destroy Our Democracy. Do Not Let Him Newsom kicked off his new project by sharing his Fox News Digital op-ed on Tuesday titled, "Trump is trying to destroy our democracy. Do not let him." He also posted an interview with Democratic strategist and TikToker Aaron Parnas. Read On The Fox News App He told Parnas that joining new media platforms like Substack was "foundational and fundamental" to Democratic strategy and outreach going forward and that his party must get more "aggressive" with their messaging. Newsom launched his own podcast in March, "This is Gavin Newsom," where he's conversed with liberal allies but also pro-Trump figures like Charlie Kirk and Newt Gingrich. The likely 2028 Democratic presidential candidate already has a high profile, but he's held the spotlight even more in recent weeks as California became the epicenter of the Trump administration's illegal immigration crackdown. Newsom has spoken out harshly against President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to quell unrest generated by anti-ICE protests. "These are men and women trained in foreign combat, not domestic law enforcement. We honor their service and their bravery. But we do not want our streets militarized by our own Armed Forces," Newsom wrote for Fox News Digital. "With this act, President Trump has betrayed our soldiers, the American people, and our core traditions; soldiers are being ordered to patrol the very same American communities they swore to protect in wars overseas. The deployment of federal soldiers in L.A. doesn't protect our communities – it traumatizes them," he wrote. Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit accusing Trump of overstepping his bounds by illegally deploying the National Guard to quell the unrest. Last week, a federal judge sided with California in his ruling and directed Trump to return control of National Guard troops to Newsom's command. Exclusive: New 'Gavin Newsom Files' Reveal California Governor's 'Extreme' Agenda"Defendants are temporarily ENJOINED from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles," U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer wrote in his ruling. "Defendants are DIRECTED to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom." White House spokesperson Anna Kelly blasted the ruling as an "abuse of power" that "puts our brave federal officials in danger" and said the Trump administration would appeal the decision. A federal appeals court stayed the ruling and will hear arguments Tuesday to review whether Trump can keep using California's National Guard to protect immigration enforcement officials and quell article source: Gavin Newsom launches Substack to fight 'disinformation'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom says he's lost friends for saying biological men participating in women's sports is unfair
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom revealed Friday that he has lost friends over his recent comments about the unfairness of biological men competing in women's sports. "I lost some good friends, like, I mean, they're just, they won't talk to me," Newsom said during an episode of his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom," with talk show host Dr. Phil. "They're done and, you know, I appreciate they felt hurt. They felt that point of view was, you know, somehow diminishing," Newsom added. Maher Praises Newsom's 'Tack To The Center' As Dem Gov Speaks Out Against Trans Athletes In Women's Sports The governor defended himself, saying that he has always been highly supportive of LGBT rights. "As someone who's been an advocate that I put up against any other elected official, I mean, I have a very strong record, as you know," Newsom said. "I think the first time I was on your show was on the issue of LGBT rights, and I've been an advocate for decades and decades." Read On The Fox News App The potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender said the issue of biological boys in girls' sports must be dealt with and not swept under the rug. "On the issue of sports and what you just laid out as it relates to many different factors that are unique and, regardless of puberty blockers, I just think this issue we have to address, and to not address [it] we are in denial," he said. Dr. Phil agreed with Newsom. Newsom Faces Fiery Backlash After Talking 'Issue Of Fairness' With Transgender Inclusion In Women's Sports "We were both advocates for LGBTQ rights, but this is a bridge too far," Dr. Phil said. "You have these elite athletes, these are kids that get up oftentimes an hour or two before school, I mean, they're up at 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning, working out before school for years and then all of a sudden somebody steps in and bumps them out of the competition. I hate to see that," he added of girls facing biological boys in sports. Newsom made comments in March questioning the appropriateness of men in women's sports, agreeing that biological men in women's sports is "deeply unfair." In 2022, Newsom signed legislation making California a sanctuary state for transgender procedures for minors. "Parents know what's best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear," Newsom said in a signing statement on Sept. 29, 2022. "We must take a stand for parental choice. That is precisely why I am signing Senate Bill 107."Original article source: Gavin Newsom says he's lost friends for saying biological men participating in women's sports is unfair
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
California allowing more girls in track-and-field championship amid Trump transgender athlete pressure
The governing body for high school sports in California said it would allow more girls to compete in this weekend's track-and-field state championships as President Trump threatens the state's funding over a transgender student-athlete's upcoming participation. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced Tuesday it is changing its competition rules to extend entry to 'any biological female student-athlete' who would have 'earned the next qualifying mark' in their event for the state championships in Clovis on May 30–31. 'The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law and Education Code,' the group said in a statement. 'The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.' The organization did not return a request for clarification about whether the policy change applies to all events or only to ones where a transgender girl qualified. A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said the organization's proposed pilot 'is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness — a model worth pursuing.' 'The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach,' said the spokesperson, Izzy Gardon. In the debut episode of his podcast, 'This is Gavin Newsom,' in March, Newsom broke from most other Democrats by saying he believes transgender athletes participating in girls' and women's sports is 'deeply unfair.' Later, at a press conference in Modesto, Calif., Newsom said he would be 'open' to a conversation about limiting trans athletes' participation in the state if such a discussion were conducted 'in a way that's respectful and responsible and could find a kind of balance.' Student-athletes in California are able to compete on teams that best align with their gender identity under a 2013 law signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown (D). The CIF announced its new entry process hours after Trump threatened to withhold funding from California and ordered local officials to bar 16-year-old AB Hernandez, a junior at Jurupa Valley High School, from competing at the state championships this weekend, though the organization said it decided to implement its new entry process several days earlier. 'THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' Trump wrote early Tuesday in a post on Truth Social, referring to Hernandez's qualifying for the state championship meet. Trump did not mention Hernandez by name. 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to,' Trump wrote, referencing an order he signed in February stating it is 'the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women's sports.' At a signing ceremony in Washington, Trump said his administration will not allow transgender athletes to compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Responding to Trump's order, the CIF said it would continue allowing transgender girls to compete on girls school sports teams. The Department of Education announced it had opened a Title IX investigation into the organization shortly after. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
