BREAKING: Ed Sec Linda McMahon warns Gov Gavin Newsom to ditch 'gender identity,' comply with Title IX or risk federal funding

Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Thursday sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom warning him that the state must comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order barring biological males from women’s sports or risk the state’s federal funding for schools. 

"Your recent comments about male athletes playing in women’s sports—that it is 'deeply unfair'—came to the attention of my office this week," the letter began, noting Newsom’s first podcast episode featuring Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, in which they discussed trans-identified males playing in women’s sports.

"I’m writing on behalf of the US Department of Education to request a clarification on your stance as Governor of California, and to inquire as to your intention to encourage California public schools to comply with federal law on this issue."

McMahon said that an "overwhelming majority" of Americans say that biological men should not compete in women’s sports, but "many are confused, however, by your office’s silence on the harms of substituting 'gender identity' for sec in other areas of the school environment."

"Allowing participation in sex-separated activities based on 'gender identity' places schools at risk of Title IX violations and loss of federal funding. As Governor, you have a duty to inform California school districts of this risk."

The letter concluded, "As Secretary of Education, I am officially asking you to inform this Department whether you will remind schools in California to comply with federal law by protecting sex-separated spaces and activities. I am also officially asking you to publicly assure parents that California teachers will not facilitate the fantasy of 'gender transitions' for their children."

During his conversation with Kirk, Newsom said he "completely" agreed about the "unfairness" of trans-identified males competing in women's sports, but "There’s also a humility and a grace. You know that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well."

"So both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think, you know, it’s inherent in you, but not always expressed on the issue, at the same time deal with the issue?"