Former Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently suggested that Democrats need to take a compassionate approach when addressing transgender rights, particularly regarding eligibility requirements for transgender athletes.
Buttigieg, who is contemplating a 2028 presidential run following a recent Senate loss in Michigan, responded to remarks from former Obama advisor Rahm Emanuel that seemed dismissive of transgender identities.
Emanuel, a former mayor of Chicago, has also expressed interest in running for president in 2028.
“It all begins with compassion—compassion for trans individuals and their families, especially for the youth navigating these complex issues,” Buttigieg told host Steve Inskeep during a Monday interview.
He emphasized that bringing compassion into the conversation may challenge some of the traditional views within his party. “When it comes to sports, I think it’s reasonable to recognize fairness is a real concern when trans athletes want to compete in women’s leagues,” Buttigieg explained.
Inskeep noted that “the parent who raised concerns about this makes a valid point.” Buttigieg agreed, stating, “That’s why I believe decisions should rest with sports leagues and school boards, not politicians. It feels like some in Washington are using this issue for their own political gain.”
His views on transgender athletes are reflective of other potential candidates for the Democratic nomination. Earlier this year, Senator Ruben Gallego remarked that the party should be receptive to authentic concerns regarding trans students in girls’ sports, advocating for a compassionate yet non-interfering stance from federal lawmakers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, viewed as a leading candidate for the 2028 nomination, noted in March that he felt some scenarios in women’s sports appeared “deeply unfair.” He suggested that if discussions could take place in a balanced manner, it could lead to more open dialogues regarding participation in California.
Newsom also praised a recent pilot program from the California Interscholastic Federation that allows more girls to compete while still including transgender athletes in their events.
This topic is likely to emerge during upcoming campaigns, as recent polls indicate that around two-thirds of Americans support measures that limit transgender individuals from joining sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Buttigieg stated that he opposes the previous administration’s stance on transgender athletes, particularly an executive order that he claims undermines opportunities for trans women in sports, along with the numerous federal investigations occurring in states and schools that permit trans women and girls to compete.
Last week, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee updated its eligibility rules to exclude transgender female athletes in accordance with the earlier executive order issued by Trump. Similarly, the NCAA implemented a ban on trans women from competing, directly following this directive.
Trump and his officials have often avoided the term “transgender” in various policies and instead referred to trans women as “biological men.” The executive order he signed upon resuming office asserts that the federal government recognizes only two genders: male and female.
Buttigieg remarked, “Different sports require different considerations; chess isn’t the same as weightlifting, and middle school sports differ from Olympic competitions. This is why I believe we should not overly politicize this matter. We should empower local communities and organizations to make informed decisions.”
He also criticized recent actions by the Trump administration, such as a policy that restricts transgender individuals from serving openly in the military. “I think most Americans recognize that, at this point, any group can face dislike,” Buttigieg mentioned during a town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Iowa recently became the first state to roll back existing anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals, which Buttigieg views as a troubling trend for the Democratic message regarding trans rights.
He added, “If Democrats focus too much on identity, it creates an impression that they lack a broader message that resonates with everyone, not just those fitting into specific identity categories. The underlying tragedy is that a true democratic vision should lift every individual while paying attention to the serious discrimination faced by marginalized groups.”
