Trump administration investigating 18 educational entities for allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Education’s Department’s Office for Civil Rights on Wednesday initiated investigations into 18 educational entities in 10 states for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

According to an official statement, complaints said the entities permit students to participate in sports based on their “gender identity,” not biological sex.

“These policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities,” said the statement.

The investigation came following Supreme Court hearings on Tuesday where the court weighed for the first time the issue of transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.

“Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” said Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights.

“We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs -- a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished.”

During his second term in the White House, the Trump administration has taken steps to end anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals, remove them from military service, and push states and athletic organizations to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports teams by threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that permit it.