WhatsApp Channel Join Now The Trump administration is considering cutting federal funding for California’s public universities, while praising Harvard and Columbia for progress in addressing its concerns, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a recent interview.
McMahon stated that California universities may lose funding due to violations of Title IX, a federal law that ensures equal opportunities in education, including sports. She pointed to cases where transgender athletes, particularly men competing in women’s sports, have raised concerns. “President Trump is committed to upholding Title IX,” McMahon said, emphasizing fair and safe opportunities for women in sports.
Last month, President Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from California after a transgender high school athlete, A.B. Hernandez, placed highly in a state track and field event. This sparked debates about fairness in sports, with some arguing transgender athletes have physical advantages. However, experts say more research is needed to confirm these claims.
California’s state law allows students to compete in sports based on their gender identity. The state’s education department has resisted federal pressure to ban transgender athletes, leading to a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said, “We will follow the law and protect all athletes’ safety.”
In February, Trump signed an executive order to ban transgender women from women’s sports, reversing a Biden administration rule that protected transgender students’ rights to compete. McMahon said California has not complied with federal Title IX rules, which could lead to cuts in federal grants for the University of California and California State University systems, major hubs for research and jobs.
Meanwhile, McMahon praised Harvard and Columbia for making progress. She noted that Harvard has taken steps to address antisemitism on campus, including replacing the head of its Middle East Studies program. Columbia, she said, is also cooperating through open discussions about campus protests and student safety. McMahon mentioned the possibility of a consent decree, a legal agreement to monitor university actions, as part of ongoing talks.
While California faces potential funding cuts, McMahon expressed hope that universities following federal laws could regain funding in the future. “That’s our goal,” she said.
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