DOJ: California could be sued over participation of trans athletes

California's public school system could face legal issues if it continues to permit transgender athletes to take part in girls' athletic competitions.

The Athletic reported Tuesday that Harmeet K. Dhillon, an assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, said in a letter that allowing trans athletes to compete violates the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. That amendment guarantees equal protection.

The letter was sent to the California Interscholastic Federation, the governing body of school sports, and said there could be legal repercussions. A CIF bylaw allows trans athletes to compete with girls, regardless of the gender listed on a student's academic record.

The issue drew more attention over the weekend when transgender girl AB Hernandez, competing in the state championship, won the high jump and triple jump and finished second in the long jump.

President Donald Trump has made keeping transgender females out of competitions for girls and women a goal of his second administration.

Last week, after Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the state over the issue, the California Department of Education unveiled a plan that said any biological female who lost a spot on the podium with the top three also would be awarded a medal for that place if beaten out by a transgender athlete.

And the state was true to its word. Girls who dropped a place due to Hernandez's inclusion in the competition stood beside her on the podium, sharing the honor.

The department said it would send further information to schools this week.

The Department of Justice wants the CIF to do away its bylaw provision allowing trans athletes to compete. On Truth Social last week, Trump threatened "large scale fines" for the state.

--Field Level Media