March 19, 2025
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday intended to ban athletes born male from participating in girls' and women’s sports.
The president put out a sweeping order on his first day in office last month that called for the federal government to define sex as only male or female and for that to be reflected on official documents such as passports and in policies such as federal prison assignments.
Wednesday's order — which coincides with National Girls and Women in Sports Day — involves how his administration will interpret Title IX, the law best known for its role in pursuing gender equity in athletics and preventing sexual harassment on campuses.
“This executive order restores fairness, upholds Title IX’s original intent, and defends the rights of female athletes who have worked their whole lives to compete at the highest levels,” said U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina.
Every administration has the authority to issue its own interpretations of the landmark legislation. “All Trump has to say is, ‘We are going to read the regulation traditionally,’” said Doriane Lambelet Coleman, a professor at Duke Law School.
