Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines called President Joe Biden’s overhaul of Title IX the “most anti-woman” pursuit of this administration as six other states filed a lawsuit challenging the new provisions on Tuesday. 

Speaking at a virtual press conference attended by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Gaines spoke at length about the overhaul which aims at safeguarding LGBTQ+ students and changing the ways in which sexual harassment and assault claims are adjudicated on campus. 

“This is the most anti-woman, anti-reality pursuit we have seen from this administration thus far,” Gaines, an OutKick contributor who hosts the “Gaines for Girls” podcast, said. 

“Across the country and in various sports, males are entering women’s athletic competitions, being given spots on women’s teams, and being granted entry into our locker rooms. To date, males have stolen over 943 trophies, medals and titles from women and girls across 458 different competitions and in over 31 different sports. But the harm they cause is exponential, as every time a man even competes in an event or makes a team, a female athlete loses an opportunity to race, a spot on that team or playing time on the field.”

Gaines also expressed concern over women’s spaces, including in locker rooms. 

“Allowing males to compete in women’s sports is risky, it is unfair, it is discriminatory, and it is regressive. And it must stop. Which is exactly why we have been so tenacious in this pursuit for sex-based protections. I know that the six attorney generals, including General Skrmetti and General Morrisey, will not quit until women and girls sports, spaces and opportunities are for women and girls only.”

Riley Gaines, a former All-American University of Kentucky swimmer, speaks before Florida Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis at the Greenville Convention Center on Friday, June 2, 2023. (MCKENZIE LANGE/Staff/USA TODAY NETWORK)

ABBOTT SAYS TEXAS WON’T ACCEPT BIDEN’S ‘HAM-FISTED’ TITLE IX CHANGES

While the administration’s new rules broadly protect against discrimination based on sex, they do not offer guidance around transgender athletes, but many Republican states argue that they could be interpreted as such.

Tuesday’s filing, co-led by Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky and joined by Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana, also challenges the authority of the rewrite. 

“The new rules expand the definition of Title IX sex discrimination to include gender identity, which is something that’s just not consistent with the text of the statute,” Skrmetti said Tuesday. 

“In our system, Congress makes the law. Our elected representatives are the ones who are given the authority and the ability to create laws for the country. The federal agencies are not able to rewrite those laws. And so we’re saying that the attempt by the Department of Education to expand the definition of sex discrimination runs afoul of our separation of powers, the fundamental principle of American government.” 

President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“There are a group of states that are stepping up today that are saying that’s not acceptable,” Morrisey added. “It alienates women’s privacy. It implicates women’s security. It puts them in jeopardy of having fairness and justice in terms of participation in sports. Obviously, it also opens up the door to significant First Amendment and federalism issues. And those are just some of the reasons why you have these six states stepping together and fighting against this very radical policy.” 

Skrmetti said despite the risk of not receiving federal education funding, states should “push back.” 

“I would say that every state across America needs to say no to this radical rewrite of Title IX. And if the federal government is going to try to impose unlawful interpretations on the states, it’s critical that the states push back. I’m always hopeful that it doesn’t come to the federal government taking away some of the economic opportunities for women and for some of these schools. But I also think it’s critical that we say no to these radical rewrites, because at the end of the day, the states play a very critical role in our system of constitutional governance, and we cannot allow the federal government to just run roughshod over states rights.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New photos taken by Fox News Digital show the devastation left in the wake of the deadly shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina, that left four law enforcement officers dead and four others injured.

The brick home was badly damaged in the gunfight. Photos show the entire front of the home busted open, exposing the inside. Debris is scattered all throughout the front yard. 

The shootout happened Monday afternoon. It began when a U.S. Marshals Task Force attempted to serve a warrant for firearm possession by a convicted felon. Police said suspect Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39, opened fire on officers from the second floor of the Galway Drive home. He also fired at officers from the front and back of the house. Hughes died at the scene, police said.

Officials said more than 100 rounds were fired in the shootout. Law enforcement, including 12 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers returned fire at the house. 

CHARLOTTE POLICE CHIEF BREAKS DOWN REMEMBERING 4 SLAIN OFFICERS, SAYS SUSPECT HAD ‘EXTENSIVE’ CRIMINAL HISTORY

Investigators told Fox News Digital that they are still sorting through evidence at the scene.

So far, investigators have discovered an AR-15 rifle, a 40-caliber handgun, ammo and magazines in the residence after they responded to the scene.

The four fallen officers have been identified as Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr; North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) Officers Sam Poloche and William “Alden” Elliot, who were members of a USMS Fugitive Task Force; and CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer.

Officer Christopher Tolley, an 18-year CMPD veteran, underwent surgery. He was in stable condition, CMPD said.

CHARLOTTE SHOOTING: 4 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED, 4 INJURED AS US MARSHALS TASK FORCE SERVED WARRANT

Charlotte residents are shocked after the deaths of three officers following a Monday afternoon shootout.  (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital/Charlotte Resident)

Officer Michael Giglio, a 3-year CMPD veteran, was treated for gunshot wound injuries at the hospital and released Monday.

Officer Jack Blowers has been with CMPD for one year. He was also treated for gunshot wound injuries at the hospital and was discharged Monday.

Officer Justin Campbell has been with CMPD since 2023. He was treated for a broken foot and was released Monday, CMPD said.

During a press conference on Tuesday, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings gave an emotional update.

CHARLOTTE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO DIED IN SHOOTOUT IDENTIFIED: ‘FOREVER INDEBTED’

Four law enforcement officers were killed in a shootout with police in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)

“What I’ll say is that our system is not completely where it needs to be, but… I really think we’re overwhelmed. We’re overwhelmed in the court system. Our district attorney is overwhelmed with the docket that we see within Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and I don’t have an answer for that,” Jennings said.

Jennings said it is unclear if the gunshots came from more than one suspect, and police are still working to determine if there was a second shooter and whether any additional charges will be filed.

CHARLOTTE RESIDENTS SHOCKED AFTER 4 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DIE, 4 OTHERS INJURED IN SHOOTOUT

Authorities recovered an AR-15 rifle, a 40-caliber handgun, magazines and ammunition from the residence. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)

Two female persons of interest — including one 17-year-old juvenile — who were in the house at the time of the shooting were taken into custody Monday afternoon and are fully cooperating with police. 

“As more and more comes out about this incident, not only when you see how brave they were,” USMS Director Ron Davis said Tuesday. “You will see examples of their courage and bravery. Let there be no mistake. They represent the best of us. They are truly America’s finest, and it’s just an honor to serve with them.”

Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday proposed a compromise on gambling legislation that would authorize a state lottery and multiple sites with electronic gambling machines. But the measure faces an uncertain outlook in the closing days of the legislative session.

A conference committee approved the two-bill proposal as lawmakers aim to put the issue to a statewide vote this August. Lawmakers in the Alabama House of Representatives and Alabama Senate could vote on the measure as soon as Tuesday evening. It will take three-fifths of lawmakers to approve the proposed change to the Alabama Constitution to allow gambling. If approved, it will go to a statewide vote on Aug. 20.

ALABAMA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL THAT COULD LEAD TO PROSECUTION OF LIBRARIANS

“I don’t know. The vote is close,” Republican Sen. Greg. Albritton, a conference committee member, said of the bill’s chances in the Senate. “It will be close probably in the House too.”

Republican Rep. Chris Blackshear, the bill sponsor, said the proposal would authorize a state lottery and allow “electronic games of chance,” but not table games at sites in seven counties. The locations would be the dog tracks in Macon, Jefferson, Greene and Mobile counties, plus locations in Lowndes and Houston counties. It would also require the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, he said.

Blackshear said they removed language to authorize sports betting.

The legislation has been stalled since March when senators scaled back a sweeping House-passed plan that would have allowed a lottery, sports betting and up to 10 casinos with table games. Disagreements have included the referendum date, the number of casinos and whether sports betting should be allowed.

The House of Representatives will vote first on the proposal. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed said the Senate might take up the measure Tuesday night, but they first have to see what happens in the House.

Lawmakers are aiming for the first public vote on gambling in 25 years. Voters in 1999 rejected a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman.