In an unprecedented backtrack from gender ideology in the Democrat-controlled state of California, a high school sports governing body has revised the rules governing biological males competing against girls in an upcoming track and field event. While experts say the development in the politically deep blue state is a sign that President Trump’s continued public pressure on the issue is working, some are also questioning the sincerity and longevity of the Golden State’s move.

On Tuesday, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced that it will alter the rules as part of a “pilot program” for the upcoming state high school track and field championship so that biological females who did not originally qualify for the competition due to a transgender-identifying athlete’s participation will now be included. In addition, CIF will “score transgender-identifying students in a separate category from boys and girls.”

Notably, the rules tweak came shortly after President Trump publicly called out California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Truth Social for “ILLEGALLY allow[ing] ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.’” The president continued, “Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is ‘UNFAIR.’ I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!”

As observed by National Review, “the transitioned person” likely refers to “A. B. Hernandez, a 17-year-old junior at Jurupa Valley High School in Ontario, Calif., who in February won a girls’ triple jump event by eight feet more than any other competitor. Hernandez also took first place at the meet in the high-jump and long-jump events, nearly three feet ahead of the triple-jump runner-up and two feet ahead of the second-place long-jump competitor.”

The CIF decision marks the first time that education officials in California have publicly acknowledged a difference between biological females and males who identify as transgender within sports competitions. Since 2020, 28 states have enacted laws or statewide regulations that bar biological males from competing in girls’ sports at the high school and collegiate levels. The issue has gained significant cultural prominence since the release of President Trump’s February executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which directs the secretary of Education to take Title IX enforcement actions against institutions that allow males to compete in female sports. The Trump administration has battled the state of Maine over Governor Janet Mills’s (D) public refusal to keep males out of girls’ sports in her state.

Sophia Lorey, California Family Council’s outreach director, expressed cautious optimism in reaction to the announcement. “Girls who were unfairly eliminated are suddenly back in for State this weekend,” she stated. “This is a step in the right direction, but let’s be real: this never should’ve happened. Boys don’t belong in girls’ sports.”

Lorey added, “President Trump’s commitment to protecting female athletes gives hope to countless young women who feel their voices have been ignored. We will not stay silent, and we will continue fighting for truth, fairness, and the future of female sports in our state.”

Still, women’s sports advocates like former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines say the move falls far short of bringing about justice for female athletes in California. “This is not an adequate response from CIF following Trump’s threat to pull funds from [California]. Boys would still be competing against girls,” she remarked. “[CIF is] fully admitting girls are being pushed out of their sports by boys. They just think the boys’ feelings matter more.”

Mary Szoch, a former NCAA Division I athlete and director of the Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council, concurred.

“The California Interscholastic Federation’s decision to allow girls who would have qualified for the track and field state championship to compete and to score transgender separately shows that California cares about federal funding — but it still doesn’t demonstrate a commitment to fairness in sports or a recognition of biological truth,” she told The Washington Stand. “Men will still be competing against women. Certainly, they’ll be scored separately, but it’s belittling to think that a woman will feel fine about coming across the finish line second just because she will still receive a first-place medal. A true competitor wants to win outright — not to be handed a medal after everyone sees she actually lost the competition.”

“In order for sports to be fair, biological females can only compete against biological females,” Szoch concluded. “The CIF’s backtrack is nothing more than a stunt to ensure that they still receive federal funds.”