The DOJ is investigating California over trans inclusion in girls’ sports, citing possible Title IX violations amid ongoing legal and political tensions.

Federal Investigation Targets State Policy on Trans Inclusion

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday it is launching a formal investigation into California’s interscholastic athletic policies that permit transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports. The move expands President Donald Trump’s nationwide campaign to challenge gender identity policies in education and athletics.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, alongside Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon and U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, confirmed the DOJ’s probe into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and State Attorney General Rob Bonta. The inquiry focuses on whether California’s adherence to gender identity-based participation violates Title IX protections intended for women and girls.

“Title IX exists to protect women and girls in education. It is perverse to allow males to compete against girls, invade their private spaces, and take their trophies,” Dhillon stated. Essayli added, “The law is clear: Discrimination on the basis of sex is illegal and immoral.”

The federal action stems from a lawsuit filed by the families of two athletes at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside. The plaintiffs, Taylor Starling and Kaitlyn Slavin, allege that one of them was displaced from the varsity cross-country team by a trans athlete and that their “Save Girls Sports” shirts were compared to swastikas by school staff.

Starling testified in April in support of bills that would have changed California’s eligibility policies, though both failed to pass. The DOJ is now referencing her case as part of its broader investigation.

Trump Administration Signals Broader Action

This is not the first intervention under Trump’s administration. In April, the DOJ sued Maine over similar policies after a trans athlete won a girls’ pole vault competition. In California, attention has turned to AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley High School, who is set to compete in the girls’ long jump and triple jump at the upcoming state championships after winning both events at sectionals on May 17.

Trump himself weighed in via Truth Social, warning of potential funding cuts and instructing local officials to prevent Hernandez from competing. Hours later, the CIF announced a rule change allowing biologically female athletes who narrowly missed qualifying behind a trans athlete to participate in the championship.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office expressed support for the CIF’s adjustment, calling it “a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness.” Newsom had previously expressed personal discomfort with biological males competing in girls’ sports during a March podcast episode.

The Jurupa Unified School District, which oversees Hernandez’s school, confirmed that it had not received any formal complaint as of Tuesday, despite being named in the DOJ’s announcement. The DOJ, however, confirmed that JUSD is part of the investigation.

Attorney General Bonta’s office responded by defending the state’s laws: “We remain committed to defending and upholding California laws… ensuring the rights of transgender students to be free from discrimination and harassment.”

As the championship approaches, the outcome of the DOJ investigation may shape national precedent on how Title IX is applied in the evolving debate over gender identity in youth athletics. Federal officials have contacted both the CIF and Riverside Unified School District, though neither has issued a public statement as of publication.