Lia Thomas Becomes GOP Scapegoat as Republicans Push Transgender Battle
was met with protests and opposition from parents, fellow athletes and conservative personalities.Days later, it appears Republicans have added the debate on transgender sportswomen to critical race theory on its list of hot-button issues for parents that may damage Democrats in the midterms, with Thomas the GOP's new target in the "culture wars."On Tuesday, Mississippi GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn cited Thomas in her scrutiny of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is nominated to the Supreme Court.After asking President Joe Biden's pick whether she can define what a woman is, Blackburn then asked Jackson "what message do you think this sends to girls" when they see "biological man to compete and beat a biological woman" in the NCAA swimming championships.Jackson replied she was not sure what message it sends before asking if she would like an answer with regards to potential legal issues that a court may have to decide on.Blackburn interrupted Jackson mid-speech to explain why she brought up a swimming competition in a hearing about a Supreme Court nominee."I think it tells our girls that their voices don't matter.
I think it tells them that they're second-class citizens," Blackburn said. "And parents want to have a Supreme Court justice who is committed to preserving parental autonomy and protecting our nation's children."The same day, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation declaring that Emma Weyant, who finished in second place behind Thomas in the 500-yard freestyle on March 17, was the true winner of the race."By allowing men to compete in women's sports, the NCAA is destroying opportunities for women, making a mockery of its championships, and perpetuating a fraud," DeSantis tweeted. "In.
