The Department of Education announced a final rule rescinding Biden-era Title IX protections and recodifying the Trump administration's 2020 policy, altering federal standards on sexual harassment and discrimination in schools.
Under President Biden, the Title IX rule strengthened protections for survivors of sexual violence and harassment and clarified protections for pregnant, parenting, and LGBTQI+ students. The recodified 2020 rule significantly weakens those safeguards.
Democratic leaders attacked the reversal immediately. Rep. Mark Takano of California, chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, accused the Trump Department of Education of using Title IX "to attack trans people under the false pretense of protecting girls and women."
"This is further proof that pretense has always been a lie," Takano said. He cited a Senate report showing the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights reached zero resolution agreements for sexual harassment or violence cases in 2025 under Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, called McMahon's reinstatement of the 2020 policy "reckless" and said the administration's claim it addresses sexual assault in schools is a "dangerous lie."
"This policy will leave our most vulnerable students who face harassment and bullying further at risk," Leger Fernández said. She warned it creates "additional barriers and delays for survivors facing the Title IX process."
The Democratic Women's Caucus previously noted the administration has resolved "zero sexual misconduct cases." Both Democratic caucuses framed the rollback as part of a broader political strategy against LGBTQI+ students. Leger Fernández said Republicans are "choosing to use the safety of girls as a ploy to perpetuate hate against LGBTQI+ students."
Leger Fernández challenged Republicans to prove their stated commitment to women's safety: "If they truly want to prioritize the safety of women and girls in school, they would protect survivors."
