CA School Faces Federal Probe Over Transgender Athletes

SAN JOSE, CA — The U.S. Department of Education will investigate San Jose State University over alleged Title IX violations following an executive order from President Donald Trump designed to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports.

The "Keeping Men Out Of Women's Sports" executive order, signed Wednesday, calls for penalties against schools and leagues that allow transgender athletes to compete on teams that match their gender identity. The order directs federal agencies to "rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities."

The investigations announced Thursday into San Jose State University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association center on Title IX, a 1972 law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. Former President Joe Biden expanded the law to extend protections to transgender and LGBTQ+ students, but a federal judge overturned the changes this year.

In a statement Thursday, Education Department officials promised "swift action" and said the administration "will not tolerate the mistreatment of female athletes." Last week, the department notified K-12 schools that Title IX protections would be enforced on the basis of biological sex.

San Jose State garnered national headlines over a player on the Spartans women's volleyball team, which advanced to a conference championship after multiple teams forfeited matches. The Spartans lost to Colorado State in the tournament final. SJSU officials have not confirmed whether the player in question was transgender.

The university did not immediately comment on the investigation but issued an earlier statement saying SJSU "maintains an unwavering commitment to the wellness, safety and privacy of our students, faculty and staff and to fostering a supportive and caring environment for all," according to The Mercury News.

RELATED: Protections For CA's LGBTQ+ Students Under Fire In RivCo-Based Lawsuit

Advocates for transgender students swiftly condemned the executive order.

"Contrary to what the president wants you to believe, trans students do not pose threats to sports, schools or this country, and they deserve the same opportunities as their peers to learn, play and grow up in safe environments," said Fatima Goss Graves, CEO of the National Women's Law Center.

The Education Department's investigation into Penn centers on Lia Thomas, who swam on the university's women's team and became the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title in 2022. In Massachusetts, the Education Department is probing the participation of a transgender athlete on a girl's high school basketball team.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.