Both Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have announced investigations into USA Fencing following the organization’s disqualification of a female fencer who refused to compete against a biological male who “identifies” as a woman.
When Stephanie Turner took a knee rather than compete against a biological male at a recent fencing competition, USA Fencing disqualified her, because it allows transgender females (biological males) to compete in women’s events.
This week, after media reports of the incident drew national attention to USA Fencing’s transgender policy and treatment of Turner, Sen. Cruz and AG Paxton launched separate investigations into the fencing authority.
“It has come to my attention that USA Fencing is still permitting men to compete in women’s fencing in violation of federal law,” Sen. Cruz wrote Tuesday in a social media post linking to an article about his new investigation. “I am proud to lead the fight to keep biological men from competing in women's sports.”
On Monday, Cruz sent a letter to USA Fencing warning that it stands to lose its recognition as the U.S. National Governing Body (NGB) for fencing if it continues to discriminate against biological females, in favor of transgender athletes.
Cruz’s letter tells USA Fencing that its transgender policy violates federal law, Pres. Donald Trump’s executive order and Olympic Committee rules and, thus, warrants revocation of the organization’s NGB status, Outkick reports:
“Although USA Fencing is an independent organization that does not receive federal funds, they are the National Governing Body (NGB) for fencing in the United States. According to Cruz, that means they must comply with federal law – notably, President Donald Trump's executive order that bans transgender athletes from women's sports – or risk losing their NGB status.
"‘To remain [the fencing NGB, USA Fencing] must comply with United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee rules and procedures, its statutory obligations to protect women, and President Trump’s recent Executive Order (EO) on Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports. If it does not, and instead continues to put women at risk, Congress may be forced to terminate USA Fencing’s NGB certification,’ the letter continues.”
On Wednesday, Attorney General Paxton announced he was issuing a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) to USA Fencing over potential violations of Texas state law:
“USA Fencing recently disqualified a female competitor, Stephanie Turner, for bravely taking a knee instead of competing against a biological male. The investigation will uncover documents related to USA Fencing potentially engaging in false, deceptive, and misleading acts and practices.”
“USA Fencing is on the wrong side of history and potentially the wrong side of the law due to violations of Texas consumer protection laws,” Paxton said:
“USA Fencing’s policies are not only potentially illegal, but also deeply insulting to the young women like Stephanie Turner who have sacrificed so much and dedicated countless hours to compete and succeed in competitions. I will fight to stop these unfair policies, and I will never back down from defending the integrity of women’s sports.”