OSPI NEWS RELEASE: State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s Statement on President Trump’s Order to Discriminate Against Trans Female Athletes

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 02/06/2025 09:02 AM PST

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State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s Statement on President Trump’s Order to Discriminate Against Trans Female Athletes

OLYMPIA—February 6, 2025—In another attempt to override the authority of states and local school districts, yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order that requires educational institutions to agree to discriminate against trans female athletes in order to continue receiving federal funds.

Through this order, the President attempts to restrict transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports with their peers and withhold federal funds from school districts that do not comply with these discriminatory actions.

We are working closely with the Attorney General’s Office to understand the next steps for our state and for our school districts in response to this unlawful order.

One thing is clear: The 47th President of the United States is disregarding the rule of law by attempting to unilaterally impose an attack on the specific student groups that anti-discrimination laws aim to protect.

The President’s order directly contradicts state law, including the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and our laws prohibiting discrimination in our public schools. Our state law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and we will not back down from that.

Washington state will do everything in our power to defend the rule of law, states' rights to establish education policy, and to protect the beautiful diversity of our 1.1 million students and educators. We believe in inclusion over discrimination, and love over hate.

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

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