Clovis Rallies for Trump’s Trans Athlete Ban at California Track Championship

Clovis, California, is buzzing with energy this weekend, not just for hosting the state track and field championships, but for becoming a flashpoint in the national debate over transgender athletes in girls' sports. The small town has rallied behind President Donald Trump’s recent push to enforce his "Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports" executive order, with local leaders amplifying community support for female-only competition.

The controversy centers on AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, who has dominated the girls’ long jump and triple jump events this postseason. Trump’s Truth Social post this week, vowing to block Hernandez from competing in the state finals, has ignited Clovis, a town already leaning right after voting for Trump in 2024 by a slim margin. Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Pearce has been a key figure, lobbying the White House for weeks to spotlight the issue.

“We’re standing for fairness,” Pearce told WTFNewsRoom, emphasizing the community’s desire to protect female athletes under Title IX. At a press conference, local leaders like Clovis Unified School District’s Tiffany Stoker Madsen and Assemblyman David Tangipa echoed her, urging Governor Newsom to rethink California’s policies. “Biological differences matter in sports,” Stoker Madsen said, calling for a level playing field.

The championships, held at Buchanan High School’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, are expected to draw protesters and heightened security. Pearce insists on compassion for Hernandez, blaming adult policymakers for the controversy. “This athlete shouldn’t be vilified, but the system has failed our girls,” she said. Meanwhile, Trump’s threat of federal intervention looms, with California now under Justice Department scrutiny, potentially facing funding cuts like those seen in Maine.

As Clovis braces for a charged weekend, Pearce hopes for respect and safety for all athletes but remains steadfast: “Our girls deserve their space.” The outcome of this meet could ripple far beyond the track, shaping the broader clash between state policies and federal mandates.