Riley Gaines and other former athletes are calling for legal action against state officials who continue to defy the federal executive order on women’s sports. The order, signed by President Donald Trump, seeks to limit biological male participation in female sports, but states like California and Maine have resisted, leading to ongoing legal and political conflicts. Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, argues that allowing trans athletes to compete is a criminal act, claiming it endangers the physical safety and rights of female athletes. Her stance has gained traction among other women athletes, including Kaitlynn Wheeler and Kylee Alons, who support the notion of prosecution for officials allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s sports. The Trump administration has launched investigations and lawsuits against several states, including Maine, California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, and has pressured the NCAA to enforce its new policy. However, critics argue that the current enforcement mechanisms are inadequate and lack tangible consequences. The ongoing debate highlights the intersection of sports policy, gender identity, and the rights of female athletes.
Four months after President Donald Trump signed the ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ executive order, enforcement remains a contentious issue as states like California, Maine, and Oregon continue to defy federal mandates. Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, a leading figure in the movement to exclude biological males from women’s sports, has called for prosecution against state officials who allow trans athletes to compete. Her argument is based on the belief that the current state of affairs poses a direct threat to the physical safety and rights of female athletes, framing the issue as a criminal act. Gaines, who previously competed against trans swimmer Lia Thomas in the 2022 NCAA women’s championships, contends that allowing trans athletes to participate in female sports is not merely a policy dispute but a violation of federal law, potentially warranting legal action against officials.
Gaines’ position has been echoed by other women athletes such as Kaitlynn Wheeler and Kylee Alons, who have joined a multi-state lawsuit against the NCAA for its perceived failure to protect female athletes. Wheeler and Alons argue that allowing trans athletes to compete in female sports has led to the erosion of rights for women and girls, including the loss of opportunities and the exposure to potentially harmful situations in locker rooms and changing environments. Their statements have been supported by legal counsel William Bock, who represents the plaintiffs and asserts that the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce its executive order are necessary to safeguard the rights of female athletes. Bock, who also serves on the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, maintains that the NCAA’s new policy, which effectively bans biological males from competing in women’s sports, is inadequate without concrete enforcement mechanisms or gender testing protocols.
The Trump administration has taken a multifaceted approach to enforcing the executive order, including the freezing of federal funds for the University of Pennsylvania, where trans swimmer Lia Thomas has competed, and launching investigations into high school sports leagues in California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. The Department of Justice has also issued a deadline for California to amend its policies on trans athlete participation in girls’ sports, signaling a potential legal showdown. However, critics, including both supporters of the policy and legal experts, argue that the current enforcement strategies are too limited and lack the necessary legal teeth to deter state officials from continuing their defiance. Despite these shortcomings, the debate remains polarized, with advocates on all sides emphasizing the broader implications for gender rights, sports equity, and the legal framework governing such issues.
The NCAA’s recent policy shift, which requires only biological females to compete in women’s sports, has been a focal point of criticism. While the policy aligns with the Trump administration’s stance, its implementation has been challenged for its lack of enforceability and the absence of clear measures to prevent biological males from participating. This has led to cases like that of Ithaca College, where a trans athlete participated in a rowing competition, citing a “misunderstanding” about the official status of the event. The NCAA’s response to the incident has been criticized for its lack of clarity and enforcement, leaving the door open for continued disputes. The ongoing legal and political battles underscore the complex interplay of federal mandates, state autonomy, and the rights of athletes, with the outcome of these cases potentially shaping the future of women’s sports in America.