The Trump administration says California must change its policies allowing transgender girls to compete on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. The U.S. Education Department says the policies violate a federal law banning sex discrimination in education. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon says California could lose federal funding if it does not comply. But the state says all students should have the opportunity to play. The issue garnered renewed attention in California after a trans athlete recently participated in the state high school track and field championship. The sports governing body running the meet allowed more girls to participate and medal in events in which the trans athlete was competing.

Schools and universities responding to complaints of sexual misconduct must return to policies created during President Donald Trump's first term, with requirements for live hearings and more protections for accused students. In a memo to education institutions across the nation, the Education Department clarified that Title IX will be enforced according to a set of rules created by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The rules govern how complaints of misconduct are investigated and how to settle cases where students present differing accounts. Colleges have already been returning to DeVos' 2020 rules in recent weeks after a federal judge in Kentucky overturned the Biden administration's Title IX rules.

President-elect Donald Trump has a vision for education that revolves around a single goal: to rid America's schools of perceived "wokeness" and "left-wing indoctrination." He wants to keep transgender athletes out of girls' sports. He wants to forbid classroom lessons on gender identity and structural racism. He wants to abolish diversity and inclusion offices. Throughout his campaign, the Republican depicted schools as a political battleground to be won back from the left. Now that he's won the White House, he plans to use federal money as leverage to advance his vision of education across the nation.

Election victories for Donald Trump and other candidates whose campaigns demeaned transgender people reinforced a widespread backlash against trans rights. For America's LGBTQ-rights movement, it adds up to one of the most sustained setbacks in its history. For transgender Americans, it's personal. There is palpable fear of potential Trump administration steps to further marginalize them. But there is also a spirit of resilience. Anti-trans momentum has been growing for several years, with Republican-governed states enacting dozens of laws restricting trans people's options for medical care, sports participation and public restroom access. Activists fear the movement will grow, with the Trump administration taking power as many Americans question the trans-rights agenda.