President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that bans transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
The order applies to all schools that receive taxpayer funding and was signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
Trump announced the decision on Wednesday, February 5, saying, “The war on women’s sports is over.”
He warned schools that allowing transgender women to join women’s sports teams or enter women’s locker rooms could lead to investigations and loss of federal funding.
The order states that U.S. policy opposes “male competitive participation in women’s sports” for reasons of fairness, safety, and dignity.
It also directs a presidential advisor to meet with athletic organizations and female athletes affected by such policies.
This move is part of a larger Republican effort to limit transgender rights in state and federal programs.
On his first day in office, Trump signed another order recognizing only two sexes and cutting funding for programs related to “gender ideology.” Meanwhile, House Republicans have passed a bill to ban transgender women from women’s sports nationwide.
Currently, nearly half of U.S. states have restrictions on transgender women in sports at the school and college levels.
However, Trump’s order extends the ban across the country. It also tells the education secretary to take action against schools that allow transgender women to compete in female sports or use women’s locker rooms.
“My administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter women,” Trump said.
He referred to a female Olympic boxer accused of being transgender, though she has publicly confirmed she was born a woman.
Fatima Goss Graves, president of the National Women’s Law Center, criticized the order. She said transgender students do not pose a threat in sports and should have equal opportunities.
“The far-right’s disturbing obsession with controlling the bodies, hearts, and minds of our country’s youth harms all students,” Graves said.
The debate over transgender participation in sports continues, with strong opinions on both sides. Trump’s order is likely to face legal challenges and protests from advocacy groups.
