California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office has responded to a new lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). The case centers on alleged Title IX violations concerning the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
The statement, shared on X (formerly Twitter), emphasized that Governor Newsom is not personally named in the lawsuit. It also clarified that both the CDE and CIF operate independently from the governor’s administration and are acting in line with California law, which was signed into effect by former Governor Jerry Brown in 2013. The post stressed that the state is not violating Title IX and accused the Trump administration of pushing a legal interpretation that no court has accepted.
Critics on X challenged the post, particularly its tone and failure to address concerns about fairness in girls’ sports. When asked about the issue at a recent event in South Carolina, Newsom admitted it was a difficult subject. He said he does not believe the current policy is entirely fair but condemned the way some groups speak about transgender individuals. According to him, the trans community deserves respect and should not be belittled.
The Department of Justice argues that California’s policies harm girls by forcing them to compete against biological males and share private spaces like locker rooms, resulting in what they describe as a hostile environment. The lawsuit seeks to stop the enforcement of the policy, claiming it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and strips girls of athletic opportunities, awards, and visibility.
Despite the U.S. Education Department previously finding California in violation of Title IX, the CDE and CIF refused to sign a resolution agreement offered late last month. The deadline to comply passed on July 7, setting the stage for a court battle. This marks the second legal fight the DOJ has taken on this issue, following a similar case against Maine in April.
Neither the California Department of Education nor the CIF has offered further public comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
