Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” effectively banning transgender women from participating in female sports categories. The signing ceremony at the White House was attended by children, female athletes, and prominent Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

In his remarks, President Trump stated, “From now on, women’s sports will be only for women.” He emphasized the administration’s commitment to protecting female athletes, asserting, “We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and our girls,” a statement that was met with applause from attendees.

The executive order grants federal agencies broad authority to ensure that entities receiving federal funding comply with Title IX, interpreting “sex” strictly as the gender assigned at birth. This move mandates immediate enforcement against schools and athletic associations that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

Additionally, the order directs the Department of Education to investigate educational institutions that fail to adhere to this policy, with the potential consequence of withholding federal funds. The administration also plans to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to implement a uniform ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This includes reviewing visa applications by transgender women athletes seeking to enter the U.S. for competitions.

The executive order has sparked significant controversy and debate. Critics argue that it discriminates against the transgender community and undermines the rights of transgender athletes. Advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the order could lead to increased stigmatization and exclusion of transgender individuals in sports and other areas of society.

This action aligns with previous measures taken by the Trump administration concerning transgender rights, including efforts to define gender strictly based on biological sex and to limit the participation of transgender individuals in various sectors. Legal challenges are anticipated as opponents of the order question its alignment with anti-discrimination laws and the potential implications for civil rights.