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4mo ago

Justice Department Sets June 9 Compliance Deadline in California Transgender Athlete Dispute

Accusing state athletic officials of violating the Equal Protection Clause, the Justice Department warned that schools would face fines or lawsuits if they fail to certify adherence to federal requirements.

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MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley wins the girls triple jump at 40-4 3/4 (12.31m) during the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet at Moorpark High School on May 24, 2025 in Moorpark, California. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley ties for fourth in the girls high jump at 5-4 (1.63m) during the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet at Moorpark High School on May 24, 2025 in Moorpark, California. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old transgender athlete, won gold medals in the girls’ high jump and triple jump and took silver in the long jump at the California Interscholastic Federation championships last weekend.
  • Following President Trump’s warning of ‘large-scale fines,’ CIF implemented a pilot entry process letting cisgender runners who placed immediately behind Hernandez share podium honors.
  • U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon sent letters to district and CIF officials demanding written certification of compliance by 5 p.m. on June 9, asserting the policy violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom and California Democrats have pledged to defend transgender student participation in girls’ sports and challenge what they describe as federal overreach.
  • Legal actions in Oregon and California, including complaints filed by conservative groups, have highlighted the intensifying debate and ongoing courtroom battles over transgender athletes nationwide.