INTERNACIONAL
Supreme Court conservatives signal support for state transgender sports bans during oral arguments
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Supreme Court struggled for consensus Tuesday as it publicly debated state bans on transgender female students from competing in women’s and girls’ scholastic sports.
Both sides repeatedly invoked contrasting versions of «fairness» and «equal opportunity» before the justices during a more than three-hour oral argument session in the courtroom.
Idaho and West Virginia separately defended their laws that limit participation for transgender females who were designated male at birth in both public school and college athletics.
They are among almost 30 states who say their restrictions are a matter of ensuring a level playing field and student safety.
HOUSE GOP LEADER BLASTS TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS’ SPORTS AS ‘BIGGEST FORM OF BULLYING’
A protester carries a transgender pride flag outside the Supreme Court as it hears arguments over state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams Tuesday, in Washington, D.C. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
But lawyers for a high school sophomore and a college senior counter that those prohibitions are clearly discriminatory and that the issues should be about equality and dignity for every student, free from politics and misinformation.
The high court is examining whether the laws violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause and the landmark federal law Title IX that prohibits sex discrimination in education.
A majority of the court — at least five of the six conservatives — appeared ready to back the state restrictions in some form. Only Justice Neil Gorsuch seemed open to some of the arguments by the student plaintiffs.
In arguments, much of the discussion came down to whether the transgender student population was large enough to give them an opportunity to defend their rights as a protected class.
With an estimated 2.8 million people in the U.S. who identify as transgender, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said their rights should be respected, even if they represent a relatively small percentage of the population.
«The numbers don’t talk about the human beings,» Sotomayor said.
«I’m struggling to understand how you can say that this law doesn’t classify on the basis of transgender status,» said Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. «The law expressly aims to ensure that transgender women can’t play on women’s sports teams. So, why is that not a classification on the basis of transgender status?»
TRANS ATHLETE AT CENTER OF SUPREME COURT CASE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION TACTICS AGAINST GIRLS
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito said the reluctance of some female athletes to compete with and against transgender women is real. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
But other members of the court suggested just the opposite.
«The question here is whether a sex-based classification is necessarily a transgender classification,» said Chief Justice John Roberts, skeptical of the position by lawyers for the student plaintiffs.
Roberts added that allowing exceptions for a relatively small subset of individuals could have larger implications.
«If we adopted that, that would have to apply across the board and not simply to the area of athletics,» he said.
The arguments also focused a great deal on the relative competitive advantages some transgender athletes would have competing in women’s sports.
Justice Samuel Alito said the reluctance of some female athletes to compete with and against transgender women is real.
«Looking to the broader issue that a lot of people are interested in, there are an awful lot of female athletes who are strongly opposed to participation by trans athletes in competitions with them,» said Alito. «What do you say about them? Are they bigots? Are they deluded in thinking they are subjected to unfair competition?»
«For the individual girl who does not make the team or doesn’t get on the stand for the medal or doesn’t make all-league, there’s a harm there,» said Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who for years coached his daughter’s basketball team. «And I think we can’t sweep that aside.»
He called the growing increase in female sports participation since Title IX was passed in 1972 «inspiring.»
Outside the courthouse, hundreds of activists groups on both sides rallied. Some carried signs like «protect women’s sports» and «trans rights are human rights.»
SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW STATE BANS ON TRANSGENDER ATHLETES’ PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL SPORTS
A protester with a transgender pride flag outside the Supreme Court as it hears arguments over state laws barring transgender athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s school athletic teams Tuesday, in Washington, D.C. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Inside, West Virginia plaintiff Becky Pepper-Jackson and her mother attended the oral arguments but did not speak.
This past year, Pepper-Jackson qualified for the West Virginia girls high school state track meet, finishing third in the discus throw and eighth in the shot put in the Class AAA division.
She has identified as female since third grade and has been taking puberty-blocking medication.
Although she is officially listed in court papers as B.P.J., her mother and ACLU lawyers have publicly identified her by Becky’s full name.
The Idaho plaintiff is Lindsay Hecox, a 24-year-old senior at Boise State University who wanted to compete on both NCAA-level and club sports teams for women.
Hecox now wants her high court case dismissed, fearing further harassment as she expects to graduate from college this spring. She says she will no longer play women’s sports in Idaho, but the justices will decide that question of mootness after argument.
Dozens of competing amicus, or supporting, legal briefs were filed by Republican- and Democratic-led states, Congress members, athletes, doctors, scientists and scholars.
The Trump administration was given argument time and said the federally-controlled Title IX does not apply to sex discrimination claims by transgender females.
Justice Department lawyer Hashim Mooppan suggested challenging a law on alleged sex-based discrimination requires a significant number of affected people to have it overturned.
«Why does it have to be that many people? Why? Why?» Justice Jackson asked, appearing exasperated.
Various hypotheticals were raised over how sex-based scholastic bans could apply beyond athletics, to science departments, chess clubs and remedial classes where brain chemistry and genetic differences have been debated.
«I think there are a lot of chess grandmasters who would tell you that women, for whatever reason, they’re not as good at this,» said Justice Elena Kagan.
President Donald Trump last February issued executive order 14201, «Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,» aimed at transgender athletes.
It is part of a broader federal effort to recognize what the White House says are «only two immutable sexes: male and female.»
WEST VIRGINIA AG ADDRESSES ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TRANS ATHLETE PLAINTIFF IN WOMEN’S SPORTS SCOTUS BATTLE
President Donald Trump waves after signing an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events, in the East Room of the White House Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
What the court does here could affect other legal fights over LGBTQ+ rights, including transgender people having access to bathrooms or sex designation on documents like passports and driver’s licenses.
The justices have complete discretion to rule narrowly on the rights of athletic competitors or offer a more sweeping precedent on discrimination claims in the workplace, public spaces, military service, government benefits, housing, health care and education.
The Supreme Court in 2020 ruled workplace discrimination against transgender people amounts to sex discrimination.
But in June, the conservative court did not extend that protection to state bans on transgender minors seeking certain healthcare treatments.
The justices there said the issue was grounded on the basis of age and medical care, not sex or transgender status.
That legal articulation may now guide the high court in the current disputes, with questions from the bench Tuesday suggesting some justices may seek a cautious, limited approach to resolving this specific issue.
That could keep the courts out of the controversy for now.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«Given that half the states are allowing it, allowing transgender girls and women to participate, about half are not,» Kavanaugh said. «Why would we, at this point, just the role of this court, jump in and try to constitutionalize a rule for the whole country while there’s still, as you say, uncertainty and debate.»
Such a ruling against the students would likely throw the issue back to the states, with the current mix of differing laws continuing to play out in the political process.
The high court cases are Little v. Hecox (24-38) from Idaho; and West Virginia v. B.P.J. (24-83). Decisions are expected by early summer.
politics,supreme court,supreme court oral arguments,federal judges,sports,ncaa,individual rights
INTERNACIONAL
El día que un arquero se quedó esperando el inicio de un partido que se había suspendido y no le avisaron
El 25 de diciembre de 1937 quedó marcado en la historia del fútbol por un episodio realmente insólito. El protagonista fue Sam Bartram, el legendario arquero del Charlton Athletic, quien vivió uno de los momentos más desconcertantes de dicho deporte: se quedó solo en el campo de juego, sin saber que el partido había terminado.
Aquel Boxing Day —la tradicional jornada futbolística que sigue a la Nochebuena en Inglaterra— enfrentaba al Charlton Athletic contra el Chelsea en Stamford Bridge por un partido correspondiente a la por entonces Liga de Inglaterra.
La jornada estuvo condicionada por una densa y persistente niebla que cubría gran parte del territorio británico. A pesar de que varias ciudades ya habían suspendido sus partidos, estos decidieron jugarlo con todas las adversidades.
Samuel Bartram nació el 22 de enero de 1914 en Jarrow, al sur de Inglaterra. “Sam” era considerado uno de los arqueros más sólidos de su generación y realizó toda su carrera profesional defendiendo, únicamente, los tres palos del arco del Charlton.
Aquella fría tarde de diciembre, la niebla dificultó la visibilidad desde el inicio. El árbitro, tras varias interrupciones debido a las condiciones, permitió que el primer tiempo terminara con empate a uno. Sin embargo, la situación empeoró en el complemento.
A los 15 minutos del segundo tiempo, la niebla se volvió tan espesa que resultó imposible continuar. El árbitro detuvo el partido de manera definitiva. Jugadores y público comenzaron a abandonar el estadio, sumidos en el desconcierto que el clima provocaba. Sin embargo, Bartram no recibió la noticia.
Solo, bajo los tres palos, siguió vigilando con atención, convencido de que su equipo dominaba el encuentro y que en cualquier momento el Chelsea podría atacar. Pasaban los minutos y el arquero notaba un silencio cada vez mayor. Se preguntaba si el dominio del Charlton era tan absoluto que el rival no lograba pasar de la mitad de cancha, pero la falta de movimiento y de voces en el campo pronto le generó inquietud.
“Cada vez veía menos y menos a los jugadores. Estaba seguro de que dominábamos el partido, pero me parecía obvio que no habíamos hecho un gol, porque mis compañeros hubieran vuelto a sus posiciones de defensa y yo habría visto a alguno de ellos. Tampoco se escucharon gritos de festejo”, explicó el propio Bartram en su autobiografía publicada en 1956.
Durante aproximadamente un cuarto de hora, el arquero permaneció en soledad, sin radares, ni comunicación por radio, esperando la reanudación de un partido que ya no existía. Finalmente, un guardia de seguridad apareció en medio de la niebla y, sorprendido por la presencia del futbolista, se acercó para informarle: “Hace 15 minutos que han suspendido el partido. ¡El estadio está totalmente vacío!”, le explicó.
Incrédulo, Sam abandonó el campo. Cuando entró al vestuario, sus compañeros lo recibieron con risas, bromas y gestos de asombro ante la extraña situación.
Contrario a lo que se ve en las redes, no existen registros fotográficos de aquel día. Usualmente, se utiliza, por error, una foto de 1954 del arquero del Arsenal, Jack Kelsey para ilustrar la anécdota.
El episodio de la niebla se convirtió en una de las anécdotas más célebres del fútbol europeo. La imagen de Sam solo bajo la niebla quedó grabada en la memoria colectiva del deporte. El propio arquero, de carácter humilde y entregado al juego, supo tomarse con humor lo sucedido. “A mí ya me extrañaba que estuviéramos dominando tanto”, comentó entre risas al reencontrarse con sus compañeros.
Más allá de este episodio, la trayectoria de Bartram fue ejemplar. Disputó 623 partidos a lo largo de 22 temporadas y se retiró a los 42 años como el jugador con más presencias en la historia de la institución. En 1947, formó parte del plantel que logró el único título en la historia del club: la FA Cup.
Bartram murió en 1981, a los 61 años. En 2005, en el marco del centenario de la fundación del club, se erigió una estatua de Sam a las afueras del estadio The Valley, adonde el Charlton hace de local.
INTERNACIONAL
ICE head says agents facing ‘constant impediments’ after migrant seen ramming cars while trying to flee
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons argued on Tuesday that federal immigration agents are facing «constant impediments» and «constant attacks» after video showed a suspected illegal migrant in San Antonio ramming cars in an attempt to flee.
The video shows the migrant in a car ramming into vehicles that were blocking them in from the front and the back, as the individual attempted to evade arrest.
During an appearance on Fox News’ «Hannity,» Lyons was asked if rhetoric from Democrats criticizing ICE can be tied to incidents like these.
REP RO KHANNA DEMANDS PROSECUTION OF ICE AGENT IN MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons argued that federal immigration agents are facing «constant impediments» and «constant attacks.» (Reuters/Leah Millis)
«When we hear elected officials calling upon individuals to impede or obstruct ICE law enforcement operations nationwide, you’re going to see incidents like this,» Lyons responded. «You saw the officers and agents attempting to apprehend a criminally illegal alien, and there they are using their car as a weapon.»
Lyons said one of the agents went to a hospital with neck injuries after their vehicle was struck in the incident.
«Every day, this is what the men and women of ICE are facing,» he claimed. «It’s constant impediments, constant attacks like this. And it’s not safe for my folks, it’s not safe for the public. It really needs to stop.»
He also purported that «criminal gangs» are organizing groups to impede or obstruct immigration enforcement operations.
New video shows a migrant in a car ramming into vehicles that were blocking them in from the front and the back, as the individual attempted to evade arrest. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
«It’s a constitutional right to go out there and protest. But when you have organized criminal gangs, which these are, that are organizing these groups to, again, impede or obstruct law enforcement operations … that’s a criminal act. I will tell you that Homeland Security investigations, my folks, the FBI, we’re investigating these and people can be held accountable because you can’t organize groups to go out and impede law enforcement. It’s a criminal act, and we have to act swiftly to prevent this from spreading,» he said.
Lyons was also asked about recent comments from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who vowed to prosecute any ICE agent who commits unlawful acts during operations in the city while stressing that his threat does not apply to «honest, decent, moral» agents.
«The men and women of ICE, the men and women of HSI, they’re not committing any crimes,» Lyons argued. «So he doesn’t have to worry about arresting any of my folks because what we’re doing is we’re enforcing the law. We are out there every day making this nation and his city safe again. So he shouldn’t worry about the men and women of ICE. What he should worry about is the sanctuary policies that have these criminal aliens go back to his neighborhoods and commit heinous crimes like fentanyl trafficking, human trafficking, rape of a child. He should focus on those and let law enforcement do law enforcement work.»
PHOTOS RELEASED OF RENEE NICOLE GOOD, THE US CITIZEN KILLED BY ICE IN MINNESOTA
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said one of the agents went to a hospital with neck injuries after their vehicle was struck in the incident. (Christopher Dilts/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This comes on the heels of a recent incident in Minnesota, where Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by masked ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who fired into the driver’s open window from the side of the vehicle and subsequently exclaimed «f–king b—h» as the car crashed into another parked vehicle.
Democrats and local residents have condemned the shooting as a murder and called for Ross’ prosecution, while the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have defended the incident by arguing that it was a justified shooting.
immigration,illegal immigrants,enforcement,texas,us,politics
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
At least 22 people were killed and 64 injured in Thailand Wednesday after a construction crane fell on a passenger train, officials said.
The crane struck a moving train in Nakhon Ratchasima province as it traveled from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, causing the train to derail and catch fire, according to the province’s Public Relations Department.
The department said in a Facebook post that the fire was under control and that officials were searching for people believed to be trapped inside the train.
LOCALS CALL OUT ‘EXCESSIVE TOURISM’ AFTER TRAM CRASH LEAVES AT LEAST 15 DEAD AND 18 INJURED
A construction crane fell into a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, on Wednesday, Jan. 14. (State Railway of Thailand via AP)
Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan said there were nearly 200 people on board the train and that an investigation was underway.
SEVERAL ELEPHANTS KILLED IN TRAIN COLLISION AS IMPACT CAUSES MULTIPLE COACHES TO DERAIL
The aftermath of a deadly crane collapse that struck a passenger train in Thailand. (State Railway of Thailand via AP)
«Nineteen bodies have been recovered, but there are still some inside the train carriages that cannot be removed yet because the crane started shifting, so the team pulled back for fear of danger,» said Police Col. Thatchapon Chinnawong, according to Reuters.
Chinnawong added that those who were killed were in two of the three carriages struck by the crane.
A train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani derailed after a construction crane fell onto one of its carriages. (Ministry of Transport/Handout via Reuters)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
disasters,thailand,transportation,fires disasters
El día que un arquero se quedó esperando el inicio de un partido que se había suspendido y no le avisaron
¿Dónde ver EN VIVO y ONLINE el Independiente vs. Everton por la Serie Río de La Plata?
Escándalo en la AFA: la Justicia realizará indagatorias clave para determinar a quién pertenece la mansión de Pilar
La escandalosa pelea al aire de Fernanda Callejón y Martín Salwe en medio de denuncias públicas por bullying
Se vende el histórico chalet construido sobre una terraza frente al Obelisco: su increíble historia y cuánto vale
ICE head says agents facing ‘constant impediments’ after migrant seen ramming cars while trying to flee
El drama matrimonial que vive Maru Botana luego de 28 años en pareja con Bernardo Solá: «Tiene varios problemas»
Polémica en redes: Milei y Feinmman se cruzaron con Marcela Feudale por los incendios en Chubut
Murió el cantante colombiano Yeison Jiménez en un accidente de avión: el video del día que predijo la tragedia
La triste despedida de Jorge “Corcho” Rodríguez a Pía, su asistente por 30 años: “Gracias por tu amor”
INTERNACIONAL3 días agoMurió el cantante colombiano Yeison Jiménez en un accidente de avión: el video del día que predijo la tragedia
- CHIMENTOS1 día ago
La triste despedida de Jorge “Corcho” Rodríguez a Pía, su asistente por 30 años: “Gracias por tu amor”
- POLITICA23 horas ago
La AFA giró US$8 millones a cinco empresas en Miami que ya no existen: un argentino disolvió hace seis días una firma clave
