The Supreme Court seems likely to uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. Lower courts ruled for the transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia who challenged the state bans. But the conservative-dominated Supreme Court gave no indication after more than three hours of arguments Tuesday that it would follow suit. Instead, at least five of the six conservatives on the nine-member court indicate they'll rule the laws don't violate either the Constitution or the landmark Title IX law. Title IX prohibits discrimination in education and has produced dramatic growth in girls and women's sports.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has spoken out against allowing transgender women and girls to compete in female sports. It's a break from progressives for the potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate. Speaking on the inaugural episode of his new podcast, Newsom called it an issue of fairness. It's the latest development in Democrats' internal debate over whether cultural issues or other matters explain the party's 2024 election losses. Newsom made his declaration in an extended conversation with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old who built the influential Turning Point USA organization that helped President Donald Trump increase his support last fall among young voters.
