Trump DOJ, Ed Dept form task force to protect female athletes from ‘gender ideology’

The Trump administration has taken a bold step in protecting female athletes from what they deem as the pernicious effects of gender ideology in school programs and activities. On Friday, a new investigative unit called the Title IX Special Investigations Team (SIT) was launched by the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). This unit will specifically target transgender women in school sports and handle cases swiftly and efficiently.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the need for a rapid response to cases of discrimination against women in sports, stating that the OCR under this Administration has been moving faster than ever before. The creation of the Title IX SIT is aimed at ensuring even more rapid and consistent investigations to protect women’s civil rights.

Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed McMahon’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of protecting women and women’s sports. The collaboration between the Department of Education and the Department of Justice will enable comprehensive action to be taken when women’s sports or spaces are threatened.

The Title IX unit comprises investigators and attorneys from various agencies, including the OCR, DOE Office of General Counsel, DOE Office of Student Privacy and Protection, and the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. This team will enforce Title IX protections in alignment with President Trump’s executive orders on “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” and “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism.”

The launch of the Title IX unit comes amidst pushback from lawmakers and judges regarding Trump’s gender-related orders. Trump’s confrontation with Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills over transgender women in sports led to investigations into Maine’s education department and a freeze on funds to certain educational programs in the state.

The Biden administration had previously updated Title IX regulations to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students, including transgender students. Under Biden’s interpretation, transgender students were protected in sports, bathrooms, changing room facilities, and other educational programs.

The establishment of the Title IX Special Investigations Team signals the Trump administration’s commitment to upholding the rights of female athletes and challenging what they see as the negative impact of gender ideology in school sports. As investigations move forward, it remains to be seen how this new unit will impact the landscape of women’s sports and transgender rights in education.