It’s been a bad run for Joe Biden. He’s taking losses at every turn.
And now a federal judge has kicked Joe Biden in the arse as he heads out of office.
Federal Court Blocks Biden Administration’s Title IX Rewrite, Protecting Women’s Sports
A federal judge delivered a significant ruling on Thursday, blocking the Biden administration’s rewrite of Title IX, a civil rights law originally enacted in 1972. This revision had added s*xual orientation and “gender identity” as protected classes, marking a substantial shift in how s*x-based discrimination is defined under federal law. The move, which had been aimed at expanding protections for alleged “transgender” individuals, now faces a nationwide halt following the ruling of U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves in Kentucky.
The rewrite of Title IX, which aimed to expand the definition of s*x-based discrimination to include gender identity and s*xual orientation, had been a source of controversy. Critics of the rule argued that it would have serious implications for women’s sports, particularly by allowing transgender athletes — those who identify as female, but are biologically male — to compete in women’s sports. This was viewed as a threat to fair competition, as critics claimed it could lead to an unfair advantage for transgender women in women’s sports.
Judge Reeves’ ruling essentially struck down the proposed revision, reinforcing the traditional interpretation of Title IX, which only recognized discrimination on the basis of biological s*x. “When Title IX is viewed in its entirety, it is abundantly clear that discrimination on the basis of s*x means discrimination on the basis of being a male or female,” the judge wrote. He went on to explain that expanding the scope of Title IX to include “gender identity” would undermine the original purpose of the law.
The ruling also noted that while Title IX sought to create equal opportunities for male and female students and employees, it allowed for distinctions to be made based on physical differences between the s*xes. This, according to the court, made the inclusion of gender identity in Title IX a significant departure from its intended purpose.
Title IX, which was originally designed to prevent s*x-based discrimination in educational institutions, has had a profound impact on American society. The law has been credited with opening up opportunities for women and girls in sports, academics, and the workplace. In particular, it aimed to level the playing field by preventing educational institutions from discriminating against students based on their s*x. However, as society’s understanding of gender identity has evolved, the definition of “s*x” under Title IX has been increasingly scrutinized.
The Biden administration’s rewrite of Title IX, issued in April 2023, expanded the law’s protections to include discrimination based on gender identity, s*xual orientation, and even “pregnancy or related conditions.” While the rule did not directly address the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, many critics saw it as a backdoor attempt to allow transgender women to compete in women’s athletics. Republican lawmakers and conservative advocacy groups quickly rallied against the proposal, arguing it would undermine women’s sports.
In response to the proposed rule, more than two dozen Republican state attorneys general, including those from Texas and Kansas, filed lawsuits against the Biden administration, arguing that the revision conflicted with state laws that prohibited male athletes from participating in women’s sports. These lawsuits culminated in the court’s ruling, which has now blocked the rule nationwide.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti celebrated the decision, calling it a major victory for women and girls. “This is a huge win for Tennessee, for common sense, and for women and girls across America,” Skrmetti said in a statement. “The court’s ruling is yet another repudiation of the Biden administration’s relentless push to impose a radical gender ideology through unconstitutional and illegal rulemaking.”
Another massive win for TN and the country!
This morning, a federal court ruled in our favor and vacated the Biden admin's radical new Title IX rule nationwide.
The court's order is resounding victory for the protection of girls' privacy in locker rooms and showers, and for the… pic.twitter.com/XsnzSEQvAU
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) January 9, 2025
The Biden administration had already taken steps to back down from its proposed rule change in the face of growing opposition. Last month, the Department of Education withdrew the proposed changes after receiving more than 150,000 public comments. By then, however, the case was already making its way through the courts.
The withdrawal of the proposed rule also came at a time when many were anticipating a shift in the White House. With President Joe Biden preparing to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump set to take office, it seemed unlikely that the rule would be able to pass under the incoming administration. Trump had previously voiced his opposition to transgender women in women’s sports, vowing to ban such participation if elected. This created a sense of urgency for the Biden administration to act on the proposed changes before Trump’s inauguration.
The court’s decision was lauded by many Republican lawmakers, including Representative Tim Walberg (R., Mich.), who serves as the chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee. Walberg celebrated the ruling as a win for women, stating, “I am proud to support Title IX and the women who fought to defend it.” The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, also hailed the decision, calling it “a colossal win for women and girls across the country.”
The case has sparked a cultural conversation about the inclusion of “transgender” individuals in sports, particularly at the high school and college levels. In recent years, at least 25 states have passed laws restricting transgender athletes from competing in sports teams that correspond to their so-called “gender identity”, further highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding this issue.
For now, the court’s ruling has halted the Biden administration’s efforts to expand the protections of Title IX, leaving the future of transgender participation in women’s sports up to future legislative action and court decisions.
Women’s sports advocate, Riley Gaines, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that she was well-pleased with the news of the Biden administration’s Title IX rewrite being shot down by the federal courts. She described the ruling as a “huge win” for women “everywhere.”
“Huge win for girls and women everywhere!!! This morning, a federal court ruled in favor of reality. Biden’s Title IX rewrite has been vacated nationwide. Common sense is slowly returning. Thank you, @AGTennessee!” Riley Gaines wrote after the news broke.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
