Trump admin reportedly sends Newsom formal warning to stop trans athletes from playing against women
The U.S. Department of Education has initiated an investigation into the California Department of Education for potential violations of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is designed to safeguard parents’ access to their children’s educational records, and the Education Department is concerned that a California law prohibiting schools from disclosing a child’s gender identity to parents may breach this act.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that teachers and school counselors should not be making significant decisions about a student’s sexual identity and mental health. McMahon stated, “It is not only immoral but also potentially in contradiction with federal law for California schools to hide crucial information about a student’s well-being from parents and guardians.”
In a recent development, McMahon sent a warning to California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding federal laws barring transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. This warning came after Newsom’s remarks on his podcast where he acknowledged the unfairness of biological males competing against female athletes but did not condemn a transgender athlete who excelled in a track competition.
McMahon’s warning to Governor Newsom highlighted the risks schools face in allowing participation in sex-separated activities based on gender identity, potentially leading to Title IX violations and loss of federal funding. The Secretary of Education called on Newsom to remind California school districts to comply with federal law by safeguarding sex-separated spaces and activities and to assure parents that teachers will not facilitate gender transitions for their children.
Following McMahon’s warning, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk praised the Secretary for holding Newsom and California accountable. Additionally, TPUSA contributor Riley Gaines, known for competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, challenged Newsom to take action on the issue.
President Donald Trump previously signed an executive order on Feb. 5 prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, citing concerns about fairness and safety for women and girls. This order followed a policy shift from the Biden administration, which had a more pro-trans stance.
The investigation into California’s potential FERPA violations and the ongoing debate on transgender athletes in women’s sports underscore the complex intersection of privacy rights, gender identity, and competitive sports. It remains to be seen how Governor Newsom and California will respond to the federal directives and the broader implications for education and athletics.
