The Department of Education announced on Wednesday it is investigating two state athletic associations that say they will not abide by the Trump administration's Title IX rules that forbid transgender girls and women from participating on sports teams that align with their gender identity.

Local outlets have reported that both the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) have said they will instead abide by state law and allow transgender athletes in women's sports.

“The Minnesota State High School League and the California Interscholastic Federation are free to engage in all the meaningless virtue-signaling that they want, but at the end of the day they must abide by federal law,” said Acting Assistant Education Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.

The department's Office of Civil Rights, Trainor said, will conduct investigations “to ensure that female athletes in these states are treated with the dignity, respect, and equality that the Trump Administration demands.”

CIF said “has been notified of the investigation” but will not comment........

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