Martina Navratilova called out California Gov. Gavin Newsom. She slammed the state’s policies on transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Another controversy just erupted.
A triple-jump record was broken in California girls’ high school track. The debate over trans-inclusion flared up again. California is defying President Trump’s order that bars biological males from girls’ and women’s sports.
Navratilova, a vocal advocate for fairness, took to X.
"Seems fair to me, right??? Hey gov. Newsom- @CAgovernor- this is not ok!!! This is not what one would call progressive. In fact, it’s regressive AF," she posted.
The California Interscholastic Federation won’t budge. It’s standing firm on allowing trans athletes to compete. This goes against Trump’s order and the NCAA’s new policies, which also face backlash.
Minnesota and Maine have taken California’s side. They refuse to follow Trump’s directive.
Attorney General Pam Bondi fired a warning. States that defy Trump’s order will face legal action.
"This Department of Justice will hold accountable states and state entities that violate federal law," Bondi wrote in a letter to officials. "Indeed, we have already begun to do so."
She pointed to lawsuits against Illinois and New York. The Justice Department sued them for ignoring federal immigration laws.
"We also stand ready to sue states and state entities that defy federal antidiscrimination laws," Bondi added.
Trump has made enforcement a priority. He ordered the Justice and Education Departments to act. Schools that force girls to compete against boys could lose federal funding. Maine is already in a battle with Trump over this.
Bondi said California "should be on notice." The Department of Education is investigating the state’s athletic policies under Title IX.
"If the Department of Education’s investigation shows that the Federation is indeed denying girls an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them to compete against boys, the Department of Justice stands ready to take all appropriate action to enforce federal law," she warned.
She made it clear. The Justice Department just wants states to follow the law.
"And federal law requires giving girls an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by ensuring that girls need to compete only with other girls, not with boys," Bondi wrote.
She doubled down in a statement.
"This Department of Justice will defend women and does not tolerate state officials who ignore federal law," she said.
"We will leverage every legal option necessary to ensure state compliance with federal law and President Trump’s Executive Order protecting women’s sports."