May 27, 2025 – A contentious debate surrounding the inclusion of a transgender athlete in California high school girls’ sports has escalated, drawing national attention and threats of federal funding withdrawal from the Trump administration. The issue centers on a Jurupa Valley High School junior, AB Hernandez, who is set to compete in the CIF State Track and Field Championships this weekend, qualifying in both the long jump and triple jump.
President Donald Trump has publicly voiced strong opposition to Hernandez’s participation, citing concerns about fairness in women’s sports. In a statement released on Truth Social, he criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for allowing “men to play in women’s sports” and warned that significant federal funding could be withheld if California does not adhere to his executive order prohibiting biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Trump indicated his intention to speak directly with Governor Newsom and even suggested local law enforcement might intervene to prevent the athlete from competing in the state finals.
Data from recent competitions highlights the athlete’s strong performance, with a triple jump of 40-04.75 and a long jump of 19-03.50, outperforming many competitors. Prior to their transition, the athlete was described as an average male competitor.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, while acknowledging the “deeply unfair” aspect of the situation in a previous discussion with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, has also emphasized the need for “humility and grace” in addressing the issue, noting the mental health challenges faced by vulnerable communities. He suggested that the issue has been “weaponized by the right to be 10 times, 100 times bigger than it is,” and that his focus remains on broader state issues.
In response to the mounting pressure, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced a policy change for the state championship earlier this week. The updated rule will allow biologically female athletes who narrowly missed qualifying for the competition to participate, effectively expanding the field in events where a transgender athlete has qualified. A spokesperson for Governor Newsom, Izzy Gordon, expressed encouragement regarding this “thoughtful approach” by the CIF.
This controversy is not new for the CIF, which has faced scrutiny before, including allegations of officials forcing athletes to remove “Protect Girls Sports” shirts at a recent sectional prelim. The Trump administration had previously warned the CIF and the athlete’s high school about potential consequences for allowing transgender athletes to compete. As the state championships approach, all eyes are on Clovis, where the athlete from Jurupa Valley High School is expected to compete, further intensifying the ongoing national dialogue on transgender participation in sports.