The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Seattle Branch opened an investigation Friday into Washington’s Tumwater School District (TSD), probing allegations that it violated Title IX by allowing male athletes to compete in girls’ interscholastic sports.
The move, sparked by a complaint from the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) on behalf of a 15-year-old female student-athlete, signals a Trump administration crackdown on policies clashing with federal sex-based protections.
The complaint centers on a TSD basketball game where the female student opted out after discovering a male player on the opposing team during warm-ups—an athlete permitted under Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) rules tied to “gender identity.”
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Despite prior notice, TSD officials let the game proceed, prompting the girl to sit out over safety fears. FAIR alleges the district then launched a “bullying and harassment” investigation against her for “misgendering” the male player, claiming retaliation and sex discrimination under Title IX.
“OCR’s directed investigations … demonstrate that the Trump Education Department will vigorously enforce Title IX to ensure men stop competing in women’s sports,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor in a statement. “If Washington wants to continue to receive federal funds … it has to follow federal law.” The probe, announced February 28, aligns with President Trump’s February 5 executive order mandating Title IX enforcement based on biological sex—a directive TSD and Washington state have seemingly defied.
Monica Harris, FAIR’s Executive Director, hailed the investigation. “All female student-athletes in Washington are entitled to feel safe in sports and enjoy a fair opportunity to compete,” she said. “We deeply appreciate … efforts to create inclusive environments, but these must not erode long-standing sex-based rights.” FAIR’s filing argues TSD’s actions sidelined the girl, breaching federal law despite state policies.
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The clash pits Washington’s gender-identity rules against federal authority. Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s February 6 email urged schools to stick with state law, while TSD’s board passed a February 27 resolution backing a WIAA shift to biological-sex limits—moves at odds with Trump’s order. OCR’s probe warns that federal funding, which TSD relies on, hinges on Title IX compliance, not state defiance.
The 15-year-old’s case—facing potential discipline for speaking out—underscores the stakes. As Trump’s team ramps up enforcement, TSD’s response could ripple across Washington, where FAIR sees a chance to reset the balance between inclusion and fairness. For now, the feds are digging in, and Tumwater’s next move could redefine girls’ sports in the state.
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