Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana have joined a growing chorus of states pledging to resist the Biden administration’s overhaul of Title IX rules, which changes the definition of sex to include claimed gender identities.

Last week, the Biden administration finalized controversial Title IX rules, forcing schools to consider claims of transgender identity legitimate and allowing boys in girls’ restrooms and other private spaces. The regulations are set to take effect Aug. 1.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced Thursday that Florida “will not comply” with Biden’s Title IX overhaul, announcing on X, “Florida rejects Joe Biden’s attempt to rewrite Title IX.”

“We are not going to let Joe Biden try to inject men into women’s activities,” DeSantis said. “We are not gonna let Joe Biden undermine the rights of parents, and we are not gonna let Joe Biden abuse his constitutional authority to try to impose these policies on us here in Florida.”

The top education officials in South Carolina and Louisiana had similar messages to their local schools this week.

On Monday, Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley told school systems that because the new Title IX rules likely violate state law, they “should not alter policies or procedures at this time.” A letter sent to the districts noted a 2022 law that bars student-athletes from competing in sports that do not align with their biological sex.

Although the Education Department has yet to finalize a portion of Title IX rulemaking dedicated explicitly to athletics, Brumley told the Hill, “You can rest assured that they have the full intent of this applying completely to athletics moving forward.”

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver also vowed to resist the rules, calling the changes made by the Biden administration “deeply troubling” in a Tuesday letter to local school boards.

“Now, under the guise of ‘fairness,’ the U.S. Department of Education seeks to expand the long-standing prohibition against discrimination based on ‘sex’ to include ‘sex stereotypes, sex-related characteristics (including intersex traits), pregnancy or related conditions, sexual
orientation, and gender identity,’” the letter stated. “This is not fairness: it is fiat.”

Weaver said she anticipates the rule will be “tied up in litigation for some time” and ultimately either be struck down by courts or modified. She said it is possible the rule could be nullified before Aug. 1.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“By redefining the class of people that Title IX intends to protect, the Biden administration’s rule seeks to change the meaning and purpose of the underlying law, thus compelling the speech of students and teachers related to preferred pronoun use; upending biology-based protections for females in athletics, bathrooms, locker rooms, overnight accommodations, and other sex-separate spaces and activities; placing massive legal uncertainty and compliance costs on districts; and creating chaos and confusion for teachers, students, and parents,” Weaver added.

As the Washington Examiner reported, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters sent a letter to local superintendents directing them not to comply with the Title IX changes for similar reasons.

Businesswoman and reality TV star Kim Kardashian visited the White House Thursday to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris about criminal justice reform, an issue for which Kardashian has long been an advocate.

Harris announced a new rule from the Small Business Administration that lifts some restrictions on loans for people with criminal records.

“Making this available, reducing and eliminating that restriction is going to mean a lot in terms of second chances and the opportunity for people to excel,” Harris said.

“Is it not the sign of a civil society that we allow people a way to earn their way back, and give them the support and resources they need to do that?” Harris said.

The event comes the day after President Biden used his clemency authority to pardon 11 people who were convicted of non-violent drug offenses and commute the sentences of five others. The White House says these individuals received disproportionately long sentences and would have been given shorter sentences under current laws and policies.

Four of the pardoned individuals attended the event with Harris and Kardashian Thursday.

“I am super honored to be here to hear your stories today,” Kardashian said. “I think it’s so important to share them an amplify them because there are so many people that are in your position that can use the inspiration.”

Kardashian was instrumental in elevating the issue during the Trump administration, advocating for pardons and meeting the former president and his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner.

The White House says so far, Biden has commuted the sentences of 122 individuals and granted pardons to 20 who committed non-violent drug offenses.

Biden has recently been highlighting his efforts on marijuana reform, even mentioning it in his State of the Union address last month. In 2022 and 2023, Biden issued and expanded a proclamation that pardoned those with convictions of simple possession of marijuana under federal law.

The topic is one that invigorates many young voters and voters of color, which are groups Biden will need to turn out for him in order to win reelection in November.

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football will add to its list of draft picks during the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit.

South Carolina had five players invited to the NFL combine: quarterback Spencer Rattler, wide receiver Xavier Legette, tight end Trey Knox, offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo and cornerback Marcellas Dial. Edge rusher Jordan Strachan will look to land with an NFL team despite missing a combine invite.

This draft likely will include the first quarterback drafted out of South Carolina since 1990. Both Legette and Rattler are expected to be drafted as early as the second round this year.

Last year, five Gamecocks were drafted, beginning with Cam Smith who was the No. 51 pick in the second round. It was the largest number of Gamecocks drafted under coach Shane Beamer since he took over the program in 2021. Three Gamecocks were drafted in 2022.

Jaycee Horn, who was the eighth overall pick in 2021, is the Gamecocks’ highest draft pick since 2014, when Jadeveon Clowney was selected No. 1 overall.

Check here for updates of South Carolina players selected.

South Carolina football drafts picks in 2024 NFL Draft

This section will be updated throughout the draft.

College Team undrafted free agents

Here’s a list of potential undrafted free agents who could sign with NFL teams:

This section will be updated throughout the draft.

All-time College Team football draft classes

2013, 2009: Seven draft picks

2012: Six draft picks

2023, 2002, 1988: Five draft picks

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin