Controversy in USA Fencing escalates following DOGE hearing on transgender athletes
Just six weeks after women’s fencer Stephanie Turner was disqualified and removed from a tournament for kneeling in protest against her transgender competitor, the chair of USA Fencing faced tough questioning at a federal hearing. This hearing, which focused on the impact of the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, took place before Republican […]
Fencing director likened parents concerned about the safety of young girls to the Ku Klux Klan.
Damien Lehfeldt, a director on the USA Fencing board, recently found himself in a contentious hearing with Republican members regarding the participation of men in women’s fencing. His history of making somewhat sarcastic online comments about President Trump and the segregation of sports by gender has raised eyebrows. Alongside him at the hearing was Fatima […]
Fencing organization’s chairman directly addresses lawmakers
Damien Lehfeldt, Chairman of USA Fencing, seemed to convey a clear message before his upcoming questioning by legislators regarding the participation of men in women’s sports. He’s slated to be among the witnesses at a House oversight session led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, alongside Subcommittee Chairman Tim Burchett and others, including Melanie Stansbury and […]
House GOP subpoenas USA fencing chairman to testify on trans sport’s inclusion
House Republicans have summoned USA Fencing (USFA) Board of Directors Speaker Damien Lehfeldt to force him to testify before Congress at a hearing examining the participation of transgender women in biologically women's sports. The subpoena said that after U.S. Fencing CEO Phil Andrews told the subcommittee about implementing government efficiency, which is scheduled to hold […]
Switzerland fencers turn away from Team Israel at fencing championship
newYou can listen to Fox’s news articles! The European fencing championship featured a controversial protest against Team Israel in Tallinn, Estonia on Saturday night. Members of the 23 fencing teams, which won the Swiss silver medal, turned their backs on Israeli gold medalists during a medal ceremony while the Israeli national anthem was being played. […]
Stephanie Turner put on 12-month probation, taking break from USA Fencing career after refusing to compete against trans athlete
Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner said she’ll be returning from fencing “for a while” after receiving 12 months of probation by US fencing for refusing to compete with transgender athletes last month. Stephanie Turner, 31, was disqualified from a USA Fencing cherry blossom when she took her knees, not the biologically born 20-year-old fence Redmond Sullivan. […]
DOGE to hold hearing on transgender incident with USA Fencing
Doge Subcommittee Chairman Marjorie Taylor Greene It was announced on Tuesday A hearing addressing USA Fencing’s gender eligibility policy that allows biological male trans athletes to compete in the female category. The hearing is scheduled for May 7th. The announcement comes weeks after female fencer Stephanie Turner was punished for kneeling in protest against her […]
‘He’s a man!’ Woman screams at man in women’s fencing tournament as officials claim ‘there’s nothing to oppose’
Confusion exploded as several women protested the inclusion of male athletes in the women’s fencing tournament over the weekend. The male athlete in question is Anica Rose Shootski. He made the headline in 2024 after finishing second in the women’s fencing tournament despite having competed in sports for six months. It has been reported. Reportedly, […]
USA Fencing says it allowed men into women’s competitions to create ‘inclusive’ and ‘safe’ spaces
USA Fencing has responded to criticism about men allowing women's competition, saying they want to create a safe and inclusive space for “all people” to participate. A male swordsman named Redmond Sullivan recently competed in the Women's Tournament at the University of Maryland. Turner was given a black card by an official and subsequently kicked […]
‘How many men?’ Ted Cruz demands answers from USA Fencing after male athlete was allowed to compete against women
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) asked the national fencing agency why it was not complying with federal orders, giving a clear deadline for responses. The man competed in a women's fencing tournament in Maryland at the end of March, sparking protests from one female athlete who refused to compete with the man. Female fencer Stephanie Turner […]