Trump Administration Probes California Statute Banning ‘Forced Outing’
The education department under Trump has the authority to withdraw federal funding from the state.
TroibNews 
Federal officials are investigating the California Department of Education, alleging that school districts are not providing parents with information regarding their child's gender identity. A state law enacted last year prohibits the outing of transgender and gay students to their parents.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the investigation on Thursday, highlighting concerns that state education officials “played a role” in violating federal law by assisting in the “socially transition[ing] children at school while hiding minors’ ‘gender identity’ from parents.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed in a statement that teachers and school counselors should refrain from advising students on their sexual identity and mental health, emphasizing that these discussions should be reserved for parents.
“It is not only immoral but also potentially in contradiction with federal law for California schools to hide crucial information about a student’s wellbeing from parents and guardians,” McMahon stated. “The agency launched today’s investigation to vigorously protect parents’ rights and ensure that students do not fall victim to a radical transgender ideology that often leads to family alienation and irreversible medical interventions.”
Officials from the California Department of Education and a spokesperson for Superintendent Tony Thurmond did not respond immediately to inquiries for comment.
According to officials, the investigation may threaten federal funding for California due to potential violations of the Family Education Rights Privacy Act. The state receives nearly $8 billion annually from the U.S. Department of Education, and Thurmond indicated in a statement earlier this week that some payments have already been denied or delayed. This development marks yet another significant clash between the Trump administration and the Democrat-led state on various issues, including immigration and climate change.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law last year, positioning California as the first state in the country to explicitly bar school districts from implementing parental notification policies. The legislation was a response to conservative school boards across the state that had rules requiring schools to inform parents about their child's gender identity.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
The U.S. Department of Education announced the investigation on Thursday, highlighting concerns that state education officials “played a role” in violating federal law by assisting in the “socially transition[ing] children at school while hiding minors’ ‘gender identity’ from parents.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed in a statement that teachers and school counselors should refrain from advising students on their sexual identity and mental health, emphasizing that these discussions should be reserved for parents.
“It is not only immoral but also potentially in contradiction with federal law for California schools to hide crucial information about a student’s wellbeing from parents and guardians,” McMahon stated. “The agency launched today’s investigation to vigorously protect parents’ rights and ensure that students do not fall victim to a radical transgender ideology that often leads to family alienation and irreversible medical interventions.”
Officials from the California Department of Education and a spokesperson for Superintendent Tony Thurmond did not respond immediately to inquiries for comment.
According to officials, the investigation may threaten federal funding for California due to potential violations of the Family Education Rights Privacy Act. The state receives nearly $8 billion annually from the U.S. Department of Education, and Thurmond indicated in a statement earlier this week that some payments have already been denied or delayed. This development marks yet another significant clash between the Trump administration and the Democrat-led state on various issues, including immigration and climate change.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law last year, positioning California as the first state in the country to explicitly bar school districts from implementing parental notification policies. The legislation was a response to conservative school boards across the state that had rules requiring schools to inform parents about their child's gender identity.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
