Texas To Investigate Schools Over Transgender Policies
Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into two of the state's school districts after their employees appeared to advise an undercover reporter on how they could circumvent the state's ban on transgender students taking part in girls' sport.The investigation applies to Dallas Independent School District (DISD) and Irving Independent School District (IISD), with Paxton vowing that any bid to circumvent state law regarding transgender students in girls' sport would be "rooted out."Newsweek contacted Attorney General Paxton for comment outside of regular office hours on Friday via telephone and voicemail message, along with the DISD and IISD via email.In Texas, legislation took effect in January 2022 requiring student athletes to play on male or female sports teams in accordance with the sex listed on their birth certificate.On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's and girls' sports across the United States.Paxton's announcement of an investigation shows his determination to enforce state law in the context of a more general backlash against transgender athletes competing in female sports, an issue that Trump campaigned on during the 2024 presidential election.On Thursday, Paxton shared an article from conservative leaning outlet Daily Wire on X, formerly Twitter, which said he was launching an investigation into Dallas Independent and Irving Independent School Districts over advice their employees had given an undercover reporter regarding transgender inclusion in girls' sports teams.He commented: "Any systematic effort by a school district to sidestep state law and allow biological boys to play in girls' sports in Texas will be rooted out, and my office will explore all avenues to hold those responsible to account."In January, culture war focused outlet Accuracy in Media published an investigation in which employees of both the DISD and IISD appeared to give advice on skirting.
