Education Department Rescinds Biden-Era Title IX Rule, Restores Trump Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education is formally rescinding the Biden administration's 2024 Title IX rule, reinstating the Trump-era regulations from 2020. Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the decision, stating it reinforces the administration's position that girls' and women's sports should be reserved for females.

"We're just acknowledging that boys and men are in boys and men's sports and girls are in theirs," McMahon said in an interview. The action restores the 2020 regulatory text in the Code of Federal Regulations. Courts had previously invalidated the Biden rule, and the department had announced in January 2025 that it would enforce the earlier Trump administration regulations.

McMahon explained that this formal rescission provides clarity for students, teachers, schools, and parents, ensuring everyone understands the applicable rule. Schools are expected to return to the guidelines set by the Trump-era rules. McMahon indicated that Title IX was originally intended to provide equal opportunities in sports, including for women, and that the Biden regulations had altered those rights.

The Biden administration's 2024 rule had expanded Title IX protections to include gender identity, but a separate proposal addressing athletic team eligibility was withdrawn in December 2024.

The Trump administration had previously pursued its interpretation of Title IX through various means, including investigations, funding restrictions, and referrals to the Department of Justice. The Departments of Education and Justice announced the Title IX Special Investigations Team on April 4, 2025. The federal government also filed a lawsuit against Maine over its policy allowing transgender-identifying males to compete in girls' sports.

Regarding consequences for states not adhering to Title IX, McMahon cited the use of reimbursement requirements for funding recipients designated as high risk. This means they do not receive funding in advance and must provide receipts to confirm proper spending. The Maine case was also referred to the Justice Department.

For female athletes who have lost records, titles, or opportunities, McMahon pointed to a resolution with the University of Pennsylvania. In July 2025, Penn agreed to restore records and titles to female athletes and issue apologies following transgender swimmer Lia Thomas' participation on the women's team. McMahon stated that titles were given to the women who had rightfully won them. The department will consider each case individually when determining recourse.

McMahon advised parents facing issues such as daughters competing against male athletes or sharing locker rooms with them to raise concerns with school officials and report them to federal authorities. The timeline for departmental intervention was not specified.

On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court upheld laws in Idaho and West Virginia that restrict girls' and women's sports to biological females. McMahon emphasized that Title IX itself provides the legal framework for requiring sex-based eligibility in girls' sports nationwide, stating that the law exists and should be obeyed.