President Donald Trump has taken a significant step in the ongoing debate over transgender participation in sports by signing an executive order aimed at keeping biological men out of women’s sports. This move, announced on February 5, 2025, coincided with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a day dedicated to celebrating female athletes and promoting equal access to sports for women.
The executive order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," has already prompted immediate action from the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which governs high school athletics in the state. The VHSL’s executive committee voted to align its policies with Trump’s order, ensuring that its member schools will comply with the new regulations. VHSL Executive Director John W. Haun emphasized the importance of providing clear guidance to the association’s 318 member schools, which collectively serve over 177,000 student-athletes.
In a statement, Haun noted, "To that end, the VHSL will comply with the Executive Order." The VHSL plans to propose emergency legislation to amend its policy manual accordingly, signaling a swift response to the federal directive.
Trump’s executive order fulfills a key pledge from his campaign, aiming to protect the integrity of women’s sports and uphold the principles of Title IX, which mandates equal opportunities in education and athletics for women. During the signing ceremony, Trump remarked, "This doesn’t have to be long. It’s all about common sense. Women’s sports will be only for women." He also declared, "The war on women’s sports is over," reflecting the administration’s commitment to this issue.
The NCAA, which oversees college athletics across the United States, quickly followed suit by announcing a new policy that prohibits transgender athletes assigned male at birth from competing on women’s teams. This policy allows biological females to participate in men’s sports, marking a significant shift in collegiate athletic regulations.
NCAA President Charlie Baker highlighted the need for uniform eligibility standards, stating, "We strongly believe that clear, consistent and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions." This response from the NCAA came just a day after Trump’s executive order, demonstrating a rapid alignment of policies at both the federal and collegiate levels.
The signing ceremony was attended by various advocates for women’s sports, including OutKick host Riley Gaines, who has been vocal about her experiences competing against transgender athletes. Gaines, along with other independent women ambassadors, has actively campaigned for fairness in women’s sports, particularly following controversies surrounding athletes like Lia Thomas.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed that the executive order aims to defend the safety of athletes and maintain competitive integrity. She also urged the Senate to pass the Protection of Women and Girls Sports Act, which would further restrict biological males from participating in women’s school sports teams.
As the debate over transgender athletes in sports continues, Trump’s executive order marks a pivotal moment, potentially reshaping the landscape of women’s athletics at both high school and collegiate levels. The VHSL’s immediate compliance reflects a growing trend among sports organizations to adopt policies that align with the new federal standards.