President Trump threatened Tuesday to impose heavy fines on California after a transgender athlete took home the gold in a girls track and field meet.
The president chastised California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, saying he knows the administration could penalize his state for allowing a biological male to participate in the event.
“A biological male competed in California Girls State Finals WINNING BIG, despite the fact that they were warned by me not to do so. As Governor Gavin Newscum fully understands, large scale fines will be imposed!!” Mr. Trump posed on social media.
Mr. Trump’s threat follows the Department of Justice’s vow on Monday to take legal action against California public schools, arguing that a state bylaw that allowed the biological male to compete violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and discriminated against athletes on the basis of sex.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon ordered the 1,600+ schools that belong to the California Interscholastic Federation to certify by June 9 that they won’t implement the bylaw or face “legal liability.”
Under the bylaw, California schools are required to allow students to compete in activities “in a manner consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records.”
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The bylaw was approved to comply with a 2013 state ban on discrimination based on gender identity, but Ms. Dhillon said it runs afoul of the Constitution.
The athlete, A.B. Hernandez, competed under a new rule change believed to be the first of its kind nationally by a high school sports governing body. California’s governing body changed the rules ahead of the meet to allow more girls to compete and medal.
A.B. won the gold in the girls’ high jump and the triple jump. The transgender athlete finished the high jump with a mark of 5 feet, 7 inches with no failed attempts.
In February, Mr. Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, fulfilling a campaign promise. The order directs his administration to halt funding for schools that refuse to ban transgender athletes, but some states have resisted.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, has said the executive order violates the state’s anti-discrimination law. She has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the executive order violates state and federal laws.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.