USA Fencing Board Sued Over Chair’s False Claims at Trans Athlete Hearing

USA Fencing’s leadership is under fire as two board members, Andrey Geva and Abdel Salem, have filed a lawsuit against six at-large directors, accusing chair Damien Lehfeldt of making false statements during a May 7, 2025, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) subcommittee hearing on transgender athletes. The plaintiffs, both deeply rooted in fencing—Geva as a former U.S. National Coach and Salem as a 1984 Olympian—seek Lehfeldt’s removal, claiming his actions jeopardize USA Fencing’s status as a national governing body (NGB) and Team USA’s 2028 Olympic prospects.

The lawsuit stems from a contentious DOGE hearing, sparked by fencer Stephanie Turner’s viral protest against a transgender opponent on April 2, 2025. Turner’s kneel-in led to her punishment by USA Fencing, drawing national scrutiny. Lehfeldt, testifying alone, admitted to regrettable social media posts, including a flippant 'Yeah' when asked about female fencers’ disadvantages. He also confessed to fabricating an email from a fictitious 'Dorothy' to mock critics, a move he later called a 'poor attempt at humor.'

Geva alleges Lehfeldt falsely announced his resignation from the board and claims he faced threats to silence his views on transgender athletes’ advantages. His letter to Sen. Ted Cruz, cited by Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene during the hearing, fueled further tension. The lawsuit warns that Lehfeldt’s 'non-corporative demeanor' risks alienating the fencing community, which funds over 90% of USA Fencing’s revenue.

USA Fencing defended its integrity, vowing to fight the lawsuit while focusing on advancing the sport. Amid the uproar, the board recently amended policies favoring LGBTQ-friendly states for event hosting and limiting the national anthem, decisions criticized post-Turner’s protest. The organization declined to explain these changes, leaving the fencing world on edge as leadership battles unfold.