Senate Republican Probes Blue States Over Title IX Violations Related to Trump’s Trans Athlete Order
Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., is investigating over a dozen blue states, including Washington, D.C., for alleged Title IX violations connected to President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding transgender athletes in female sports programs. The inquiry focuses on whether schools and institutions are adhering to federal laws by excluding biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s sports and implementing policies that allow shared access to facilities like locker rooms and bathrooms.
Cassidy’s probe is part of a broader effort to address what he claims are unlawful changes to Title IX under the Biden administration, which expanded the law to include gender identity protections. The investigation includes 19 letters sent to state education officials and university departments, demanding information on Title IX policies, state laws protecting biological females, and disciplinary actions involving students who object to shared spaces. The states under review are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
Cassidy argues that the current interpretation of Title IX under Biden’s administration is flawed and that Trump’s executive order aims to restore the law to its 2020 version, which excludes gender identity from the definition of sex. He believes this is critical for protecting the interests of female athletes and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. The issue also sits at the center of ongoing Supreme Court cases that could shape the future of Title IX enforcement and the legality of allowing biological male athletes in women’s sports.
“As Chairman, it is my priority to ensure women and girls have every opportunity to succeed on the field and in the classroom,” Cassidy stated. “This means ensuring that states receiving federal financial assistance for educational programs comply with federal law and federal agency directives.” The Republican senator has required state education agencies and colleges to provide detailed information by December 8, including state and institutional Title IX policies on gender identity, state laws protecting biological females, compliance steps with Trump’s order, revised definitions of sex, athletic participation policies, and records of complaints and disciplinary actions involving students objecting to shared spaces.