California High School Sports Federation Adjusts Rules Amid Federal Funding Threat

On Tuesday, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced a significant change to eligibility rules for the upcoming track and field championships, set for Friday and Saturday. This decision came shortly after President Trump issued a warning about potential federal funding cuts to California if the state continues to permit transgender athletes in women's sports.

The CIF's new policy allows “any biological female student-athlete” who initially did not qualify due to the presence of transgender competitors to participate in the championship meet. This adjustment aims to address concerns raised by recent competitions, particularly after a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School secured first place in both the triple jump and long jump events.

Despite the timing of the announcement, CIF officials stated that the decision was made “this past weekend,” prior to Trump's post on Truth Social. “The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law and Education Code,” the federation emphasized in a statement.

Under the newly implemented pilot entry process for the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, any biological female athlete who would have qualified based on their performance but did not achieve the necessary mark at their Section meet will now have a chance to compete. “The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes,” they added.

At least two female athletes will benefit from this rule change, allowing them to compete in the state championship despite their previous disqualification. The CIF confirmed that transgender athletes will still be eligible to compete and earn medals in the tournament.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office expressed support for the CIF's decision. A spokesperson remarked, “CIF's proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness — a model worth pursuing. The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”

Interestingly, Newsom has recently diverged from party lines, acknowledging that it may be “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete against biological women. This statement comes as speculation grows regarding his potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential election.

Prior to the CIF's announcement, Trump had threatened to instruct local authorities to prevent transgender athletes from competing in state finals. He criticized California's policies on Truth Social, stating, “California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.’ THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.” He warned that significant federal funding could be withheld if his directives were not followed.

In February, Trump signed an executive order aimed at stripping federal funding from states that do not prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. Currently, the Department of Education is conducting a federal Title IX investigation into CIF regarding its policies on transgender athlete participation.