Trump Finds California Illegally Hid Gender Identity From Parents

• January 28, 2026

President Donald Trump’s Department of Education found that California violated federal parental rights law by pressuring schools to hide children’s so-called transgender identity from their parents.

A U.S. Department of Education investigation found that the California Department of Education violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA.

The state’s policies “have created state-directed pressure for schools to violate FERPA by concealing student records about a child’s so-called gender transition from a child’s parents,” an official for the U.S. Education Department said.

“During our investigation, we uncovered a systemic problem of schools maintaining secret records, such as gender support plans, and other records of the like, and claiming that they are not part of a student’s cumulative record, which is accessible to parents under FERPA.”

At least 300 students in California were put on “Gender Support Plans,” a document that establishes steps to hide a child’s new gender identity from his or her parents.

“Children do not belong to the state. They belong to their parents,” the official said. “Parents must know about the most sensitive information pertaining to their child’s health and well-being.”

The agency said it had notified California’s Education Department of the findings and that it is required to comply.

“If a student is contemplating life-altering changes, the least a school can do is notify their parent or guardian,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said on X. “California will be held accountable.”

An ED investigation found California schools hid students’ “gender transitions” from parents — and @CAGovernor allowed it.

If a student is contemplating life-altering changes, the least a school can do is notify their parent or guardian.

California will be held accountable.
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) January 28, 2026

Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell | White House Correspondent

Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell is the White House correspondent for the Daily Signal.

Follow on X TheElizMitchell

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