Indiana
Trump signs transgender sports ban. Indiana lawmaker is there for it
Trump thanks Sage Steele while banning trans women from team sports
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. The measure, called the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order,” is the fourth executive order targeting transgender people the president has signed since taking office Jan. 20.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that seeks to keep transgender women and girls from competing in school and college-level sports around the country.
Among those who joined Trump in the East Room of the White House for the signing was Indiana state Rep. Michelle Davis, a Whiteland Republican who authored a state bill banning transgender girls from youth sports.
In addition, the president thanked Sage Steele, an Indiana University graduate and former ESPN sportscaster for her support on the issue.
Under Trump’s order, federal officials could withhold funding from schools that allow transgender athletes in women’s sports and block transgender athletes from entering the United States for the 2028 Olympics.
“It’s an honor to join President Trump in protecting the integrity of women’s sports,” Davis said in a statement. “As a former athlete and mother, I know firsthand the dedication and sacrifices female athletes make to compete at the highest levels. I have fought for these protections in Indiana and am grateful for the leadership of President Trump at the federal level to ensure a level playing field for women and girls competing in sports across the country.”
Female athletes also attended the ceremony.
Davis was invited because of her past legislative actions, according to a news release. Her 2022 bill saw protests, legal challenges and a veto from then-Gov. Eric Holcomb that was later overturned by the Indiana General Assembly.
This year, Davis filed new legislation, House Bill 1041, that seeks to expand Indiana’s ban to college sports.
She was first elected to the Indiana House in 2020 and represents portions of Johnson County.
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USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany.