The US Education Department has launched an investigation into Smith College, one of the nation's largest women's colleges, over its policy of admitting transgender women. This move marks another escalation in the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to restrict transgender rights.
Investigation Details
The department's Office for Civil Rights announced the inquiry on Monday, alleging that the Massachusetts college may be violating federal law by allowing biological males into women's intimate spaces, including dormitories, bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams. The investigation centers on Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education and extracurricular activities. While Title IX includes an exemption for single-sex colleges, the department argues that exemption applies only to biological sex differences, not subjective gender identity. According to the department, admitting transgender students means the college no longer qualifies as single-sex.
Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights, stated: "An all-women's college loses all meaning if it is admitting biological males. Allowing biological males into spaces designed for women raises serious concerns about privacy, fairness, and compliance under federal law. The Trump Administration will continue to uphold the law and fight to restore common sense."
Smith College's Admission Policy
Smith College's website states that its admission policy welcomes any applicants who self-identify as women, including cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary women. Founded in 1875, the college boasts a distinguished alumni list that includes multiple first ladies, elected officials, and civic leaders.
In response to the investigation, Smith College issued a statement confirming it had received notice of the Title IX probe. The statement read: "The College is fully committed to its institutional values, including compliance with civil rights laws. The College does not comment on pending government investigations."
Background and Complaints
The investigation follows a complaint filed in June 2025 by Defending Education, a right-wing education group that targets schools and teachers unions over diversity policies and perceived biases. The group's complaint argued: "Ironically, in what appears to be yet another exercise in sex discrimination, Smith admits natal men who identify as women but does not admit natal women who identify as men."
Smith College first affirmed its policy of admitting transgender women in 2015, after a year-long study and consultations with students and alumni. At the time, college leaders wrote: "The mission of Smith College is to educate women of promise for lives of distinction. In the years since Smith's founding, concepts of female identity have evolved. Smith alumnae have been leaders in the movement to afford women greater freedoms of aspiration and self-expression."
Broader Context
The investigation is part of a broader Trump administration push to restrict transgender participation in public life. The administration has sought to ban transgender people from the military, required passports to reflect sex at birth, and filed lawsuits against states allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity. Additionally, the administration is working to limit access to gender-affirming medical care.
Last year, Smith College adopted a new policy from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that prohibits transgender women from competing in women's sports, aligning with the administration's stance.
