Investigation into California Community College Athletic Association
President Donald Trump’s Department of Education announced on Thursday that it is investigating the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) for potentially breaching Title IX by permitting men who identify as transgender to participate in women’s sports teams.
This inquiry coincides with the Supreme Court hearing two cases regarding state regulations that restrict men, including those identifying as transgender, from competing on teams designated for women and girls. Additionally, the Department of Education has initiated 18 other Title IX investigations across ten states this week.
The focus of the investigation is the “Transgender Participation Policy” from 3C2A, which allows female or non-binary student-athletes who have completed a year of testosterone suppression treatment to compete on women’s teams. This investigation is in collaboration with the Department of Justice’s Title IX Special Investigations Team.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Kimberly Ritchie, stated that the existence of this policy reflects a concerning trend. “Women’s sports are for women. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom seems to prioritize ideology over the safety and fairness for his students,” she said, referencing Newsom’s previous remarks about men in women’s sports being “grossly unfair” during a podcast with Charlie Kirk.
The Department of Education received a complaint claiming that the policy discriminated against three female athletes based on gender. It suggests that male athletes were allowed to join women’s volleyball teams at member institutions and use women’s locker facilities in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The complaint also states that 3C2A disregarded female students’ concerns regarding the adverse effects of allowing men to compete in women’s sports. 3C2A oversees over 100 athletic programs statewide.
“The Trump administration will not endorse policies that undermine women’s rights,” Ritchie asserted. “The Title IX Special Investigations Team is committed to ensuring equal access to educational and athletic opportunities for all women because equity and safety are essential.”
As of publication, 3C2A had not responded to requests for comments.
The Department of Education reaffirmed that Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in any federally funded program or activity. In June 2025, the Department concluded that the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation had violated Title IX by allowing men who identify as transgender to compete on girls’ and women’s teams.
