WASHINGTON — The U.S. Education Department threatened two school districts in Michigan and Maryland with federal funding cuts over their transgender policies, as President Donald Trump's administration acts to limit transgender rights.
In a statement Monday, the department said it partnered with the Justice Department to look at the issue, and enforcement actions could include "applicable judicial proceedings and potential loss of federal funding."
The Education Department accused Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland of violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act by classifying information about a student's gender identity as "confidential medical information" that cannot be shared with parents.
It also said Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan likely violates the same law with a policy it described as requiring "school employees to hide a child's transgender status from his or her parents."
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Transgender rights activists gather Jan. 13 outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on the day justices heard oral arguments in two cases concerning efforts to enforce Republican-backed state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams at public schools.
In a statement cited by an NBC affiliate, Anne Arundel County Public Schools said it first learned of the Education Department's assertions through the department's statement, adding it did not receive formal correspondence or documents to support the findings.
It added that it will carefully review such information once received and will "respond through the appropriate process."
Ann Arbor Public Schools had no immediate comment.
The Education Department said the Trump administration will take enforcement action against Anne Arundel County Public Schools and gave Ann Arbor Public Schools until Aug. 10 to demonstrate why the government should not move forward with similar action.
Trump cast the gender identity of transgender people as a lie, issued executive actions targeting their rights and stated in a directive that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes: male and female.
Trump also attempted to freeze federal funding for educational institutions over other issues such as climate initiatives, pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's assault on Gaza and diversity programs.
Civil rights groups say such actions violate academic freedom, free speech and due process.
