Thursday marked four months since President Trump signed an executive order aimed at excluding biological men from women’s sports. Despite this, trans-inclusion in girls’ and women’s sports continues to be a contentious issue across the U.S.
States led by Democrats, including California, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington, have openly resisted this order, leading to a national conversation about the participation of biological men in high school sports.
The Trump administration initiated an investigation and even filed a lawsuit to address the ongoing incidents. Caroline Leavitt, a spokesperson, indicated that the administration might pursue even more aggressive actions.
During a press briefing on April 18 discussing challenges in Maine, Leavitt framed Trump’s executive order and Title IX as federal law, suggesting that violators could face legal repercussions.
In response, Democratic states like Maine and California have largely ignored Trump’s demands.
Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer and notable conservative voice advocating for keeping biological men out of women’s sports, expressed strong support for prosecuting those involved in these conflicts. “What’s happening here is a crime,” she stated. “We’ve been told that it’s more important than our safety—I believe that’s a criminal issue. Someone needs to set a precedent.”
Gaines has been vocal about the impact of trans swimmer Leah Thomas, who infamously tied with her at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Championship. She believes that officials at schools like Georgia Tech should be held accountable and prosecuted.
Fox News Digital reached out to Georgia Tech for a response.
Gaines is currently part of a lawsuit against the NCAA, alongside other female swimmers like Caitlyn Wheeler from the University of Kentucky and Kylie Arons from the University of North Carolina. They echo Gaines’s call for legal actions against officials enabling trans athletes to compete in women’s events.
Wheeler remarked, “There should be serious consequences for schools and officials violating Title IX, especially when it comes to forcing girls to share spaces with biological males. This isn’t just a disagreement; it’s about stripping rights from women and girls, and breaking federal laws should have repercussions.”
Arons added her disbelief at anyone being against prosecution when the harm being done is so evident.
William Bock, the attorney representing Gaines and her co-plaintiffs, advocates for the prosecution of officials who continue to permit these situations. He emphasized the necessity of accountability following Trump’s executive order, which has been in effect for over four months.
Currently, the enforcement of Trump’s executive order mainly focuses on restricting opportunities for trans athletes. There have been investigations into high school sports leagues in multiple states due to this issue, and the Department of Justice set a deadline for California to amend policies on trans athletes in women’s sports.
While Gaines, Wheeler, and Arons appreciate Trump’s effort, they are eager for more than just initial action. Gaines expressed hopes for enough notices leading to substantial actions that genuinely protect women’s rights.
The executive order shifted the NCAA’s gender eligibility standards the day it was signed, asserting only biological females may compete in women’s events in official competitions. Yet, many women’s rights advocates criticize this policy for lacking clarity and effective enforcement measures.
In March, Ithaca College allowed trans athletes to participate in a Division III rowing event amid some confusion about NCAA classifications. While Ithaca clarified intentions regarding practice opportunities, it did not announce penalties for not invalidating outcomes of such events.
The main goal of the lawsuit, Gaines v. NCAA, is to ensure biological men are excluded from female collegiate sports, and while litigation is ongoing, they aim for enforceable protections for female athletes.
Bock also noted their lawsuit seeks financial damages for affected female athletes, stressing the significant impact on numerous women.
