A woman was kicked out of a fencing competition for refusing to fight a transgender opponent. Now the Trump administration is investigating the organization behind the decision.
Key Facts:
- Stephanie Turner was disqualified from a USA Fencing event after refusing to compete against transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan.
- Turner took a knee in protest at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland and was issued a black card, the sport’s most serious penalty.
- The Trump administration’s new Title IX investigations team will probe USA Fencing, University of Maryland, and Wagner College for potential civil rights violations.
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Attorney General Pam Bondi say the investigation aims to protect women’s sports from “gender ideology.”
- USA Fencing defends its policy allowing trans athletes after one year of testosterone suppression and claims Turner was penalized solely for not competing.
The Rest of the Story: USA Fencing Investigation Timeline and Details
Stephanie Turner sparked national controversy after she was expelled from a women’s fencing event for refusing to face Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete.
She protested by taking a knee before the match and was swiftly issued a black card and removed from the venue.
In response, the Trump administration has launched a formal investigation through a newly formed Title IX task force.
Officials say institutions like the University of Maryland and Wagner College may have violated civil rights laws by allowing a biological male to compete in a female event and penalizing a woman for objecting.
USA Fencing insists the disqualification was based on competition rules, not Turner’s political statement.
But the public backlash has forced the organization to double down on its trans-inclusive policies while dismissing recent calls to revise them—even rejecting a proposal for an all-female task force to review the rules.
“There’s nothing for me and everything for him.”
WATCH: Female fencer Stephanie Turner speaks out after being expelled from a @USAFencing tournament for refusing to compete against a male opponent. pic.twitter.com/ZAMX7egEM7
— ICONS (@icons_women) April 3, 2025
Commentary: USA Fencing Should Be Held Accountable
The USA Fencing case is more than a rules dispute—it’s a warning sign of a deeper crisis in women’s sports.
A female athlete trained, prepared, and showed up to compete.
Instead, she was punished for standing up for what most Americans still recognize as common sense: men should not compete in women’s events.
This organization didn’t just fail Turner; it actively silenced her.
She made a peaceful, symbolic protest—taking a knee—and was thrown out.
Meanwhile, the transgender athlete faced no penalty for entering a division meant for biological women.
That is not equal treatment under Title IX.
Two men will vie for the women's title in the @USAFencing April North American Cup tomorrow.
This is 1 week after Stephanie Turner refused to compete against a man. @tedcruz — hold USA Fencing accountable. Revoke their NGB (natl governing body) status. pic.twitter.com/5stClGRaFR
— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) April 10, 2025
USA Fencing’s 2023 transgender policy openly favors activists over athletes.
It ignores the biological advantages men have, no matter how long they’ve been on hormone therapy.
It prioritizes politics over fairness, and now it’s punishing women for daring to speak out.
Even worse, USA Fencing doubled down.
Instead of listening to female athletes, the board rejected a proposal to even consider creating an all-female task force to revisit the issue.
That sends a loud message: women’s voices don’t matter in women’s sports.
The Trump administration is right to step in.
This isn’t about discrimination—it’s about defending reality.
The federal government has a duty to ensure institutions receiving public funds respect the law, especially when they jeopardize safety and fairness for women.
We hope this investigation is only the beginning.
USA Fencing and any group enabling the erasure of women in sports must face legal and financial consequences.
It’s time for accountability.
The Bottom Line: Why the USA Fencing Investigation Matters
Stephanie Turner’s expulsion from a fencing tournament highlights how far some organizations will go to enforce gender politics over athletic fairness.
The Trump administration’s response is a long-overdue defense of female athletes and their civil rights.
USA Fencing’s actions deserve serious scrutiny—and this investigation might finally bring it.
Read Next
– Space Force Commander Who Undermined JD Vance in Greenland Pays The Ultimate Price
– America’s Budget Deficit Just Exploded—and It’s Not Slowing Down
– Idaho Governor Signs Strongest Medical Freedom Law in The Country, This Changes Everything