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EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration has directed a stern message to California and Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of a contentious track and field championship. This major event features a transgender athlete, who is biologically male, set to compete in the girls’ category.
The U.S. Department of Education specifically targeted Newsom and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), along with Jurupa Valley High School, regarding the upcoming meet. The department noted concerns about the handling of recent events, including a previous incident where CIF officials mandated competitors remove “Protect Girls Sports” shirts during a recent contest.
Julie Hartman, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education, emphasized the seriousness of the situation. She stated that the apparent violation of federal civil rights laws by allowing a male athlete to compete in a female division is unacceptable. Furthermore, she condemned alleged retaliatory actions against those protesting the decision.
The CIF is currently under a federal Title IX investigation, scrutinizing California’s policies on transgender inclusion in sports.
“Governor Gavin Newsom recently expressed strong sentiments about the unfairness of male athletes competing in women’s sports,” Hartman continued. “However, where is Governor Newsom now? Regardless of his stance, the commitment from the Trump administration is clear: institutions cannot infringe upon women’s civil rights. Our investigation into CIF is ongoing.”
California has become a focal point in the national debate on transgender athletes’ participation in sports, having been one of the first states to openly defy Trump’s executive order aimed at safeguarding women’s competitive sports. As debates mount among residents, the state must also contend with a federal inquiry into its practices.
Transgender Athlete Set to Compete
A transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School is expected to compete in multiple events, including the high jump, triple jump, and long jump, after advancing through the preliminaries where they excelled. Their performance prevented three female athletes from moving forward, notably taking first place in the triple jump.
Julia Teven, a 17-year-old student at Brea Olinda High School, is among those challenging the transgender athlete. She tied for first in the high jump during prelims, while acknowledging that the competitor may outperform her in future events despite not finishing higher during the qualifying rounds.
Teven commented, “He could potentially beat me, but I don’t fault him for the ongoing debate. The issue lies with the institution’s decision to allow this.”
Teven noted that her concerns about fairness stem primarily from the CIF’s actions. She stated, “I believe he’s just taking advantage of the circumstances created by CIF.”
Responses from Fellow Competitors
Reese Hogan, a 16-year-old student from Crean Lutheran, also finished ahead of the transgender athlete in the high jump event, taking fifth place. However, the same athlete demonstrated significant prowess in the triple jump, dominating that competition by over four feet.
Hogan expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s disheartening watching this unfold. The advantages are apparent, and it’s troubling as a female athlete to see this happen.”
The athletes faced additional delays during the competition due to extreme heat, exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which added to the tensions surrounding the event.
Controversy and Public Protests
The competition became engulfed in protests, with activists conducting live briefings condemning CIF and the state government for its policies. Activists assert that the current regulations undermine fairness in women’s sports.
CIF officials later explained the removal of the protest shirts, citing standard dress code policies. They insisted that athletes must wear school-issued uniforms during events, but claims arose that this enforcement was not uniformly applied.
Witnesses reported fans chanting derogatory remarks at the transgender athlete and noted a disparity in audience reactions—highlighting a split in support between the transgender competitor and the female athletes.
Olivia Viola, a fellow competitor, voiced her frustrations about the uneven support among fans and highlighted the need for accountability from CIF rather than placing blame on the athletes themselves.
“The responsibility lies with the authorities enabling this situation,” Viola asserted. “The protests should focus on the adults who should be protecting student-athletes.
