On February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” effectively barring transgender women from participating in female sports events across schools, colleges, and international competitions, including the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The executive order mandates federal fraud investigations into visa applications by transgender women seeking to enter the U.S. for sports competitions. It also directs the Department of Education to interpret Title IX—a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities—to apply strictly based on biological sex assigned at birth. This interpretation restricts transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports and warns educational institutions that non-compliance could result in the loss of federal funding.
The White House defends the measure as necessary to prevent biological advantages in women’s sports. President Trump emphasized that the order aims to restore fairness and uphold the original intent of Title IX, ensuring equal opportunities for female athletes.
This action aligns with previous efforts by the Trump administration to define gender strictly based on biological sex. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This order mandates federal departments to recognize gender as a male-female binary determined by biological sex assigned at conception, replacing all instances of “gender” with “sex” in official materials, and ceasing funding for gender-affirming care.
The executive order has sparked significant controversy and is expected to face legal challenges. Advocacy groups argue that it discriminates against transgender individuals and violates constitutional rights. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has indicated it will comply with federal law in response to the order, which could have widespread implications for educational institutions receiving federal funding.
Public opinion on transgender participation in women’s sports remains deeply divided. Recent polls show broad opposition to allowing transgender women to compete in female sports categories, while numerous legal challenges are ongoing at both federal and state levels.
This executive order is part of a broader series of actions by the Trump administration affecting transgender rights. On January 27, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14183, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” which directs the Department of Defense to revise policies to exclude individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from military service, citing concerns over unit cohesion, mental and physical readiness, and overall military effectiveness.
The administration’s stance has prompted a range of responses, including legal challenges and public protests. Advocacy groups such as Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign plan to challenge these actions in court, arguing that they violate constitutional rights and endanger the well-being of transgender individuals by exposing them to potential harm and limiting their participation in various aspects of public life.
As the legal battles unfold, the executive order’s impact on transgender athletes and the broader discourse on gender identity and rights in the United States will continue to be a focal point of national attention.