- The U.S. Education Department is investigating five northern Virginia school districts over transgender policies that may violate Title IX and a recent executive order from President Donald Trump. America First Legal prompted the investigations, citing concerns over pronoun usage and bathroom access.
- Two districts have confirmed the probes and pledged cooperation.
- The investigations are part of a wider review, with additional scrutiny on a Denver-area school over an all-gender bathroom.
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The U.S. Education Department has announced an investigation against five northern Virginia school districts. The department claims the schools have policies related to transgender students that could violate Title IX and a recent executive order from President Donald Trump.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William County schools. The probes follow a request from the conservative group America First Legal. The group requested federal reviews of the schools’ anti-discrimination policies.
Allegations of Title IX violations
America First Legal alleges the districts require teachers and staff to address transgender students by their chosen pronouns and names. The legal group claims it violates Title IX as enforced by the Trump administration.
The organization also contends that these schools allow transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity rather than their biological sex. This would violate President Trump’s recent executive order against promoting “gender ideology” in public schools.
Two of the five school districts have confirmed the federal investigations and pledged full cooperation.
Broader investigations continue
These probes are part of a broader review by the Trump administration, which is examining school policies concerning transgender students to ensure they align with the latest federal guidance.
In addition to the northern Virginia cases, the Education Department is investigating a Denver-area high school over the presence of an all-gender bathroom on campus.
President Trump’s executive action warns that schools failing to comply with the new orders risk losing federal funding.
Local parents call for change after transgender arrest
One of the Virginia districts under investigation has recently faced local controversy. Parents have called for changes to locker room policies after reports emerged of Richard Cox being arrested for allegedly exposing himself in the girls’ locker room at Arlington’s Washington-Liberty High School during community pool hours.
According to the local police chief, Cox identifies as a woman and is a registered sex offender. He faces charges of a sex offender being in proximity to children and four counts of indecent exposure.
At a recent school board meeting, parents demanded the Arlington School Board revise its locker room policy. In response, the school has posted signs encouraging individuals to cover private parts in locker rooms, according to local news reports. We will continue to follow this story for updates.
