HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — The Trump administration is investigating over a dozen educational institutions that may have allowed students to compete in sports based on their gender identity.
The Department of Education (ED) announced on Wednesday that it has started reviewing complaints about 18 institutions, which include school districts, colleges and local education departments in mostly Democratic-run states. The reports, which were sent to ED’s civil rights office, claim the schools have jeopardized women’s safety and equal opportunity.
“Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a statement.
“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.”
Some Democratic leaders have supported allowing athletes to compete with people of the same gender identity. Maine Governor Janet Mills, whose state has schools under federal investigation, said at a conference for pride leaders last month that President Donald Trump has tried to “roll back” the rights of LGBTQ people across the country.
“Every day, we see political attacks and policies designed to erase LGBTQ people from public life,” Mills said.
“We cannot and will not allow that to happen – rolling back the rights. We cannot and will not stop fighting to make equality for all an unbreakable promise in America, regardless of where you live,” she noted.
Trump has tried to prohibit males from competing in women’s sports. Last February, he set a policy of opposing it and ordered the cancelation of federal funding for schools that allowed it.
“We are putting every school receiving taxpayer dollars on notice, that if you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding,” Trump said, referencing the law prohibiting sex discrimination in schools. “There will be no federal funding.”
Some Democratic states have filed lawsuits against the president’s gender identity policies. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Trump in April over two of his executive orders, claiming they reverse civil rights protections for transgender students.
“Trump’s unconscionable attack on this small number of vulnerable children is bullying, plain and simple,” Ellison said in a statement. “His burning desire to destroy trans kids and punish us for helping them live and thrive isn’t just a violation of the law — it’s a violation of Minnesota values.”
Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
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