The Trump administration is escalating legal threats against California, warning of steep fines and possible lawsuits after a transgender high school athlete, AB Hernandez, won two statewide track-and-field championships over the weekend.
Hernandez, a 16-year-old transgender girl, placed first in both the girls’ high jump and triple jump at a state-level track meet on Saturday. The wins came under a newly launched “pilot entry process” by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) — the body that oversees high school sports — which allowed additional female athletes to compete and share medal placements in certain events, including those Hernandez entered. In one event, she shared the gold medal podium with two other athletes due to the policy.
On Monday, Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, sent a letter to California school districts and CIF, calling the policy “unconstitutional.” Dhillon claimed the rule violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by “depriving female students of athletic opportunities and benefits on the basis of their sex.”
She demanded that CIF cease enforcing the bylaw allowing transgender participation and provide confirmation to the Justice Department by June 9.
The CIF policy under scrutiny mandates that students be allowed to compete in alignment with their gender identity, regardless of what is listed on official records.
Though the letter did not name Hernandez directly, President Trump addressed her Tuesday morning on Truth Social, threatening “large-scale fines” against the state.
Last week, Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for California’s Central District, confirmed an ongoing federal investigation into CIF’s policy changes.
In response to the backlash, Hernandez told Capital & Main:
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office stated it is reviewing the DOJ’s letter, expressing concern over what it called the administration’s “ongoing threats to California schools.”
“We remain committed to defending and upholding California laws… which ensure the rights of students — including transgender students — to be free from discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson said.
The CIF has not issued a public statement on the matter.
The Justice Department had already announced a broader investigation last month into CIF’s decision to allow Hernandez to compete, part of a wider legal strategy by the administration. In a separate case, the DOJ has also sued Maine, arguing its transgender sports policy violates a recent executive order by President Trump aimed at banning transgender girls and women from participating in female sports.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter warning California of possible legal action if it failed to comply with federal civil rights laws following the February executive order.
