The U.S. Department of Education, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, has formally withdrawn the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX rule. In an interview with OutKick, McMahon emphasized the administration’s commitment to maintaining girls’ and women’s sports exclusively for biological females.
We are simply acknowledging that boys and men participate in their respective sports, while girls engage in theirs,
McMahon told OutKick. She explained that the action reinstates the 2020 regulatory text in the Code of Federal Regulations. Previously, courts had invalidated the Biden rule, prompting the department to return to the enforcement of regulations from the first Trump administration by January 2025.
When asked about the significance of the move, given that the Biden regulations were not being enforced, McMahon stated that the decision provides clarity for students, teachers, schools, and parents.Everyone now knows what the rule is and how it will be observed,
she said. She noted that schools should adhere to the Trump-era rules, but no specific deadline for compliance was provided.
McMahon revealed that Title IX was initially designed to offer equal opportunities for women in sports, asserting that many such rights were removed under the Biden regulations.This move reinstates the intent of Title IX as it was originally established,
she added.
The Biden administration’s 2024 rule expanded Title IX’s protections against sex discrimination to include gender identity. A separate proposal addressing athletic team eligibility was withdrawn in December 2024. On February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the No Men in Women’s Sports executive order. The Trump administration pursued its Title IX interpretation through investigations, funding restrictions, and referrals to the Department of Justice.
On April 4, 2025, the departments of Education and Justice announced the formation of the Title IX Special Investigations Team. The federal government filed a lawsuit challenging Maine’s policy of allowing transgender individuals to compete in girls’ sports.
McMahon described the potential financial consequences for states like Maine, California, and Minnesota.These states do not receive funding in advance and must provide receipts to confirm appropriate spending,
she explained. Additionally, the Maine case was referred to the Justice Department for further action.
McMahon acknowledged that female athletes who lost records, titles, or opportunities could find recourse. She referenced an agreement between the University of Pennsylvania and the department, reported by OutKick in July 2025. The agreement required Penn to restore records and titles to female athletes and offer apologies following Lia Thomas’ participation on the women’s swimming team.
Not only were apologies provided, but the rightful winners were granted their titles,
McMahon stated. She indicated that while this agreement serves as a potential framework, each case would be evaluated individually.
For parents concerned about their daughters competing against male athletes or sharing locker rooms, McMahon advised addressing the matter with school officials, including the superintendent, and formally reporting to federal authorities. However, she did not specify the department’s response time.
The Supreme Court, on June 30, 2026, upheld laws in Idaho and West Virginia limiting girls’ and women’s sports to biological females. McMahon pointed to Title IX itself as the basis for potential nationwide sex-based eligibility in girls’ sports.This is the essence of why Title IX was established,
she emphasized.
Reporter Dan Zaksheske contributed to this article for OutKick.