California Attorney General Rob Bonta finds himself at the center of a federal investigation as the Department of Justice examines the state’s transgender athlete policies in girls’ sports competitions.

At a Glance

• The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating California’s high school sports league and Attorney General Rob Bonta for potential Title IX violations related to transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports
• The investigation follows former President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw federal funding from California schools that allow transgender athletes in girls’ competitions
• California girls have protested at track meets wearing “Protect Girls Sports” shirts as tensions escalate
• A lawsuit by families of two female athletes claims discrimination against girls in favor of a transgender athlete at Martin Luther King High School
• Despite controversy, Bonta’s office remains committed to defending state laws protecting transgender students

Federal Investigation Launches Into California’s Transgender Athlete Policies

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a Title IX investigation into California’s high school sports league and Attorney General Rob Bonta regarding the state’s policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports competitions. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized the investigation’s focus on protecting women’s rights in education as the controversy intensifies ahead of upcoming track championships.

The investigation was announced shortly after former President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw federal funding from California schools. Trump’s action came in response to a transgender athlete being permitted to compete in the girls’ track and field championship, escalating what was already a contentious local dispute into a national political issue with significant financial implications for the state’s educational system.

BREAKING: The Justice Department is launching an investigation in California to determine whether Title IX is being violated by trans athletes competing in girls sports.  

This comes the day after President Trump threatened to pull federal funding from CA, if AB Hernandez, a…

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) May 28, 2025

Lawsuit Challenges California’s 2014 Transgender Inclusion Law

At the heart of the controversy is a lawsuit filed by families of two female athletes at Martin Luther King High School. The legal action claims discrimination against girls in favor of a transgender athlete identified as AB Hernandez. According to court documents, the lawsuit alleges a transgender athlete replaced a girl on the school’s varsity cross-country team. It further claims school administrators compared “Save Girls Sports” T-shirts worn by protesters to swastikas.

The lawsuit specifically challenges a California law enacted in 2014 that allows transgender athletes to compete in girls’ competitions. Bonta was added as a defendant in February, expanding the scope of the legal challenge. This legal battle comes after failed legislative attempts to change California’s sports eligibility policy, pushing opponents to seek resolution through the courts and now federal intervention.

Potential Funding Cuts and Rule Changes

California faces potential federal funding cuts similar to actions taken against Maine over transgender athlete policies. United States Attorney Bill Essayli, who is involved in the investigation, has emphasized the illegality of sex-based discrimination. The DOJ confirmed the investigation to Fox News Digital, while the Jurupa Unified School District, where Hernandez’s school is located, claims no formal complaint has been received.

In response to growing pressure, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has implemented rule changes to accommodate girls displaced by transgender athletes. These adjustments include awarding medals to “biological female” competitors who would have placed if not for transgender participants. Despite these modifications, many families and activists continue to express dissatisfaction with the CIF’s actions, and the Trump administration has not indicated these changes are sufficient.

Bonta Defends California’s Position

Throughout the controversy, Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office has maintained its commitment to defending California laws that protect transgender students. In a statement addressing the investigation, Bonta’s office affirmed they would “continue to closely monitor the Trump administration’s actions in this space” while upholding state laws ensuring students’ rights to be free from discrimination and harassment.

Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly supported the CIF’s position while acknowledging the complexity of the issue. The standoff highlights the growing tension between federal and state authorities over transgender rights in sports, with California standing firm on its inclusive policies despite mounting pressure and potential financial consequences from the federal government.