• President Trump warns of “large scale fines” over CIF’s transgender-inclusive policy.
• DOJ letter cites Equal Protection Clause; demands reversal of CIF Bylaw 300.D.
• Equality California defends transgender athlete and CIF’s long-standing inclusive policy.
• DOJ asks districts to certify in writing they won’t enforce Bylaw 300.D by June 2.
• National tension rises over trans youth inclusion in competitive sports.
President Donald J. Trump has reignited the debate over transgender participation in sports, threatening “large scale fines” against California after a transgender athlete won two events at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track and Field Championships. His message, posted on Truth Social on June 3, sharply criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and CIF’s inclusive policies.
The controversy centers on AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, who won gold in the high jump and triple jump, and silver in the long jump. According to Forbes, CIF allows students to compete according to their gender identity, a policy long upheld in California schools.
DOJ Letter Declares Bylaw 300.D Unconstitutional
On June 2, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division issued a formal letter addressed to public school districts in California, warning them that CIF Bylaw 300.D violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The letter, signed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, states:
The letter warns that continuing to implement the policy would constitute unconstitutional sex discrimination and demands written certification from school districts by June 2, 2025, confirming they will not enforce Bylaw 300.D. The full DOJ letter is available here.
Equality California Defends Athlete and CIF
In response, Equality California, a statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued a strong statement supporting the athlete and CIF. Executive Director Tony Hoang condemned what he described as a politically motivated attack by the Trump administration:
Hoang also praised CIF for taking precautions to ensure the safety of all participants and affirmed continued collaboration with the organization. The full statement can be read on Equality California’s website.
What Comes Next?
With the DOJ’s June 2 deadline passed, legal observers expect rapid developments regarding compliance and possible enforcement actions. Critics argue the Trump administration’s actions represent a broader national effort to roll back protections for transgender youth under federal education law, while supporters claim it restores fairness in girls’ sports.
The situation continues to evolve as California schools face legal and ethical questions regarding inclusion, federal funding, and student rights.
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(With inputs from DOJ, Equality California, Forbes, and Newsweek)
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