Latest news with #CDE
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Newsom's office distances governor from DOJ lawsuit vs California over trans athletes in controversial post
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's press office released an X post on Wednesday addressing the recent lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice against the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) over alleged Title IX violations. In the post, the press office made sure to clarify that Newsom is not named in the lawsuit. "Since a lot of folks on here have become legal experts in the last few hours, would point out the Governor is not named as a party in this lawsuit," the post read. The post did not address the morality of allowing biological males in girls sports. However, the post did defend the state's current handling of the situation, arguing against how President Donald Trump's administration has tried to apply Title IX in practice. "The California Department of Education (CDE) and CIF are both *independent* from the Newsom admin, and they are following existing state law — a law that was passed in 2013, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, and in line with 21 other states. No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX that is being advanced by the Trump Admin, and neither the Governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it –– unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law, not personal opinions," the post read. "No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX that is being advanced by the Trump Admin, and neither the Governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it –– unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law, not personal opinions." The post was criticized on X. On Tuesday, Newsom was asked again about his thoughts on transgender athletes competing in girls and women's sports. "I struggled with the issue of fairness when it came to sports," he said at an event in South Carolina. "And we tried to figure that out a couple of years ago, and we were unsuccessful, and we struggled with that recently. "And my position is that I don't think it's fair, but I also think it's demeaning to talk down to people, and to belittle the trans community. And I don't like the way the right wing talks about the trans community. These people just want to survive." Newsom said in a statement that the CDE and CIF were following laws enacted in 2013. The DOJ's lawsuit is asking for an injunction on the state's policy allowing males to compete against females in sports. California's policies "eviscerate equal athletic opportunities for girls… they also require girls to share intimate spaces, such as locker rooms, with boys, causing a hostile educational environment that denies girls educational opportunities," the lawsuit said. "The results of these illegal policies are stark: girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition." The state's current policy allows athletes to participate in sports "consistent with" their gender identity. State officials have maintained that this doesn't violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The CIF told Fox News Digital it doesn't comment on legal matters. The CDE had no comment on pending litigation. The U.S. Education Department recently found California in violation of Title IX. However, the CDE and CIF both declined to sign the proposed resolution agreement offered by the department late last month. The CDE and CIF were given until July 7 to meet the demand. They refused, and now a legal battle will ensue. It will be the second legal battle the DOJ is fighting over the issue, having launched a similar one against Maine back in April. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
09-07-2025
- Politics
DOJ sues California over transgender athlete policies
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the state of California over its policy regarding transgender individuals participating in women's and girls' sports. In a civil complaint filed in the Central District of California, the department accused the state of violating Title IX by allegedly engaging "in illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes by allowing males to compete against them." Title IX is a U.S. federal civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funding. It aims to ensure equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of sex, in educational settings. The complaint alleges that by allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' sports, it's depriving them of the "equal education and athletic opportunities afforded to them by federal civil rights law." The Justice Department names the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which is a nonprofit independent sports governing body, in the complaint. In the complaint, federal prosecutors say the Department of Education has allocated $44.3 billion in funds to CDE for the fiscal year, and that $3.8 billion is still available for the CDE to withdraw. ABC News has reached out to CDE and CIF for comment. "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 a statement announcing the lawsuit. The AG was referring to a podcast episode released by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in March, where he spoke about transgender girls and women competing in female sports. "I think it's an issue of fairness, I completely agree with you on that," Newsom said to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk during the episode. "It is an issue of fairness -- it's deeply unfair," Newsom added. The governor goes on the podcast episode to note how marginalized communities are more likely to commit suicide and have anxiety and depression. Referencing Newsom's comments on fairness in sports, Bondi added in her statement Wednesday, "But not only is it 'deeply unfair,' it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports." In a statement to ABC News on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Newsom slammed the Trump administration and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "It wouldn't be a day ending in 'Y' without the Trump Administration threatening to defund California. Now Secretary McMahon is confusing government with her WrestleMania days -- dramatic, fake, and completely divorced from reality. This won't stick," the statement said. The Justice Department's suit comes amid a wider debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's and girls' sports and the role the federal government plays in regulating their involvement. In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women's sports, fulfilling a promise that was at the center of his 2024 campaign. Titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," the order mandates immediate enforcement, including against schools and athletic associations that "deny women single-sex sports and single-sex locker rooms," according to the document, and directs state attorneys general to identify best practices for enforcing the mandate. In response, opponents of the federal order said at the time that Trump's action would lead to increased discrimination and harassment. "This order could expose young people to harassment and discrimination, emboldening people to question the gender of kids who don't fit a narrow view of how they're supposed to dress or look," Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement after the order was issued. "Participating in sports is about learning the values of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. And for so many students, sports are about finding somewhere to belong. We should want that for all kids -- not partisan policies that make life harder for them," Robinson said. Proponents say, however, Trump's federal direction brings clarity at the federal level.
NBC News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Justice Department sues California over transgender athlete policies
The Trump administration sued California Wednesday for allegedly violating federal law with policies that allow transgender student athletes to compete on school sports teams that align with their gender identities. The lawsuit is the latest escalation of the administration's back and forth with the state, which has refused to follow an executive order President Donald Trump signed in February that would bar federal funding from schools that allow trans girls and women to compete on female school sports teams. The Justice Department alleges in its complaint that the California Department of Education, or CDE, and the California Interscholastic Federation, or CIF, a nonprofit independent sports governing body, have violated Title IX, a civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. '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 Pamela Bondi said in a statement, referring to a comment Gov. Gavin Newsom made on his podcast in March. 'But not only is it 'deeply unfair,' it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.' The Department of Education has allocated $44.3 billion in funds to CDE for 2025, according to the complaint, of which $3.8 billion is still available for the CDE to withdraw. Scott Roark, the CDE's public information officer, and Christina Shannon, the assistant to the executive director for the CIF, both said in emails that they cannot comment on legal matters. Newsom is not a named plaintiff in the lawsuit. However, Elana Ross, a spokesperson for his office, said the CIF and the CDE are following existing state law, 'a law that was passed in 2013, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, and in line with 21 other states.' 'NO COURT HAS ADOPTED THE INTERPRETATION OF TITLE IX ADVANCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND NEITHER the Governor, nor THEY, get to wave a magic wand and override it — unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law,' Ross said in an emailed statement. 'At a time when the Trump administration is withholding billions in funds for education, this ongoing attack is a cynical attempt to distract from the Trump administration's defunding of nearly 3 million girls enrolled in California's public school.' Trump's executive order regarding trans athlete participation is based on his administration's interpretation of Title IX and essentially reversed a rule the Biden administration issued last April clarifying that Title IX protects LGBTQ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Biden's administration proposed a different rule under Title IX in 2023 that would have prohibited blanket bans on trans athlete participation. However, after repeated delays, the administration withdrew the proposal in December 2024 and then issued the broad rule protecting LGBTQ students in April. More than half of states have enacted measures restricting trans students ' participation in school sports, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ think tank. California is one of 21 states that does not and has had a state law allowing trans students to compete on school sports teams that align with their gender identities since 2013. The back and forth between the Trump administration and California began just after Trump signed the executive order regarding trans athletes in February. That same month, the CIF said it would follow state law, and not Trump's executive order. Then, days later, the Education Department opened an investigation into the CIF and then began investigating the California Department of Education in April. The administration said last month that its investigation found both the CDE and the CIF violated Title IX, and it gave both organizations 10 days to voluntarily change the policies 'or risk imminent enforcement action,' including referral to the Justice Department for 'proceedings.' The Education Department also proposed a resolution agreement with a list of actions the organizations would need to take to bring the state into compliance with Trump's executive order. On Monday, the CDE told the Education Department in a letter that it disagreed with the investigation's findings and would not sign the proposed resolution agreement. The CIF said it agreed with the CDE and would also not sign the agreement. That same day, Education Secretary Linda McMahon threatened the state with legal action in a post on social media. The heated exchanges were fueled in part by Trump's criticism of AB Hernandez, a trans track-and-field athlete whose participation he described as 'NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS' on Truth Social in May. At the state championships that month, Hernandez placed first in the triple jump, tied for first with two competitors in the high jump and placed second in the long jump. Due to a new pilot entry process from the CIF, which it announced shortly after Trump's criticism, Hernandez shared each podium with cisgender girls who would've placed after her if not for the new policy.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
California in violation of Title IX? Trump sues CDE, CIF over policy allowing trans athletes in girls' sports
The Trump administration declared that it would bring legal action against the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the California Department of Education (CDE) for suspected Title IX breaches. The California Department of Education has denied any violation of Title IX pertaining to transgender athletes, stating that it will not enter into a resolution deal with the US Department of Education.(AP) After a transgender athlete won many events in girls' track and field contests earlier this year, the Trump administration is seeking a ban against the state's regulation that permits transgender athletes to compete in girls' school sports, Fox News reported. The US Education Department stated that California has violated Title IX. What is Title IX? Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, passed by Congress, mandates that no one be subjected to sex-based discrimination, refused access to, or barred from participation in 'any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.' It permits regulations to be issued by any government agency that offers such help in order to enforce the ban on sex discrimination. If an institution refuses to comply freely, it also permits the termination of financial aid. Here's what California Department of Education has said The California Department of Education has denied any violation of Title IX pertaining to transgender athletes, stating that it will not enter into a resolution deal with the US Department of Education. The development comes as CDC sent an email to the US Department of Education, rejecting the invitation to sign the Trump administration's Proposed Resolution Agreement. 'The California Department of Education received the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights' June 25, 2025 Letter of Finding and Proposed Resolution Agreement in the above referenced OCR-matter,' the CDE stated in the email. 'The CDE respectfully disagrees with OCR's analysis, and it will not sign the Proposed Resolution Agreement.' Among several key things, the Resolution Agreement mandates that 'CDE will require all Recipients, including CIF, to restore to female athletes all Individual records, titles, and awards misappropriated by male athletes competing in female competitions.' As per the resolution, the CDE will write a handwritten letter of apology on behalf of California to every female athlete whose unique distinction is restored, expressing regret for 'allowing her educational experience to be marred by sex discrimination.' Kevin Kiley shares email exchange The email exchange between the two departments was shared on X Monday morning by U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley, a Republican from California, who referred to the CDE's action as reckless and unlawful. 'California is refusing to change its policy of forcing girls to compete against biological males. The Education Department says it 'disagrees' with the federal civil rights laws,' he wrote. 'This reckless and illegal decision puts our state's federal funding at risk.' Also Read: Melania Trump's Texas floods post sparks outrage as she offers just two things to victims; 'You and your husband…'
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump admin suing California over alleged Title IX violations
The Trump administration on Wednesday announced it will sue the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) over alleged Title IX violations. The administration is asking for an injunction on the state's policy to allow males from competing in females sports – an issue that reached a fever pitch earlier this year when a transgender athlete won multiple events in girls' track and field competitions. The U.S. Education Department recently found California in violation of Title IX. Fox News Digital reached out to the CDE and CIF for comment. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
