U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order banning transgender women from participating in women’s and girls’ sporting events. The order, which aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to “keep men out of women’s sports,” is set to be signed on Wednesday, February 6, coinciding with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, according to the Associated Press.
This move marks another in a series of anti-trans policies implemented by Trump since his inauguration on January 20. Previous measures include declaring that the official policy of the U.S. recognizes “only two sexes,” banning trans individuals from serving in the military, and restricting gender-affirming healthcare for trans minors under 19. Trump has also taken steps to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in government and the armed forces.
The details of the executive order have not yet been fully disclosed, but it is believed to provide guidance on how Title IX—a landmark civil rights law—should be applied to exclude transgender women from female sports. Enacted in 1972, Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding and has been instrumental in ensuring gender equality in collegiate sports.
The scope of Title IX has been highly debated in recent years, particularly in relation to trans inclusion. The Biden administration proposed an update in 2022 that sought to protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, Republican-led states have pushed back, filing lawsuits against the changes and arguing they undermine the rights of cisgender women. In August 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the new definitions cannot be enforced in 26 states where legal challenges are still pending.
Earlier this year, Republicans in Congress attempted to redefine Title IX protections to apply strictly to biological sex. Commenting on Trump’s upcoming executive order, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, who previously advocated for a trans bathroom ban in the U.S. Capitol, stated: “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.”
The executive order is expected to further intensify the debate over transgender inclusion in sports, with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights organizations likely to challenge the measure in court.