CIF had adopted its new policy before Trump issued his threat, according to Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for the governor’s office. It’s unclear how many athletes will be affected by the rule change.
Trump appeared to be targeting a transgender high school athlete from Riverside County who recently won regional competitions in long jump and triple jump, Politico reported. The president accused the athlete of being a “less than average competitor” as a male, but “practically unbeatable” as a female.
“THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large-scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to,” he continued, referring to his February order that “rescinds all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities.”
Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco lambasted the president’s statement, calling the threat illegal and urging California to challenge it in court if necessary.
“Unfortunately, this is just another chapter in Donald Trump’s war on transgender people,” he told KQED. “It’s just outrageous. He needs to let California manage our own sports programs and stop it with these attacks.”
The president “could care less about girls and women’s sports,” Wiener said. “What he does care about is attacking trans people and dehumanizing them.”
Under a 2013 California law, public schools are required to let students participate in all school activities and sports teams that match their gender identity.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who in March stoked controversy for saying he thinks it’s “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports events, appeared to support the federation’s rule change.
