The Trump administration on Wednesday sued California after a federal investigation found the state allowed males to compete in girls’ sports and access intimate spaces. The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division charged that California violated Title IX by displacing female athletes and blocking their awards and recognition. The complaint was filed in federal court in Los Angeles.

“This discrimination is not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signaling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys,” the filing stated.

The suit demands a court order to stop the policies and obligates California to compensate female athletes who lost opportunities. The state must also correct athletic records and submit compliance reports every year for five years. The federal complaint cited California’s receipt of $44.3 billion in education funding in 2025 and noted that compliance with Title IX is mandatory for states receiving federal aid.

Federal Compliance And Education Funding At Risk

The DOJ also wants the court to bar the state from continuing the policies and to force California to send apology letters to impacted athletes. The issue arose when liaison groups reported that some female athletes were forced from podiums at school championships. The CIF was ordered to reinstate any records or titles taken by male athletes. Education Secretary Linda McMahon commented on enforcing Title IX. She emphasized that women fought hard for rights that must be protected. The DOJ also measured the number of affected athletes across school districts statewide.

The lawsuit follows earlier federal efforts aimed at universities like Penn and mirrors actions taken to uphold fairness in sports. The CIF has jurisdiction over more than 750 000 athletes and must comply or face enforcement. California is among over 20 states that allow transgender athletes in girls’ sports. The DOJ warned that failure to comply could jeopardize federal education funding. California officials have not yet responded to the complaint.