Trump just exposed how far Democrats will go to protect trans ideology.
They'll even cover up sexual assault allegations for two months.
Today the Department of Education opened a federal investigation into the Puyallup School District after a 16-year-old girl wrestler accused her male opponent of sexual assault – and school officials buried the complaint until the press forced their hand.
Trump's Department Of Education Opens Title IX Investigation After School District Violated Mandatory Reporting Laws
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights initiated a directed investigation into Puyallup School District in Washington based on reports that female wrestler Kallie Keeler was sexually assaulted during a December 6 girls' wrestling match.
Keeler claims her opponent reached between her legs and forcefully tried to push fingers inside her vagina for several seconds.
She immediately told her parents after the match.
Two days later, on December 8, they emailed the school's coaches demanding action.
The school promised to investigate.
Then nothing happened for nearly two months.
It wasn't until unDivided contacted the district for comment on January 29 that officials suddenly reported the incident to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office – the very next day on January 30.
Washington state law requires school employees to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement within 48 hours.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has confirmed it opened a criminal investigation.
At least four district employees – two coaches, a principal, and an athletic director – knew about Keeler's allegations but failed to report them, violating Washington's mandatory reporting law.
That's a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Female Wrestler Says Biological Male Sexually Assaulted Her During Girls Wrestling Match
What makes this even worse?
Nobody told Keeler she was wrestling a boy.
She found out after the match ended when a coach from an opposing team informed her.
Video footage captured by Keeler's mother shows the teen's face grimacing in disgust and panic during the incident.
Two wrestling experts with no connection to either school reviewed the footage.
A coach with 39 years of wrestling experience said there was no legitimate reason for that hand placement.
He explained that wrestlers joke about "checking the oil" – when fingers unintentionally penetrate an opponent.
But he said this contact is typically fleeting and happens rarely.
In nearly four decades, it has never happened to him, nor have any of his wrestlers reported it.
If accidental contact did occur, the offending wrestler would move their hand immediately or risk disqualification.
After reviewing the video, he said the contact looked intentional.
A female wrestling coach who reviewed the footage agreed – that's not common unless you're doing it intentionally.
The male wrestler who allegedly assaulted Keeler is the same 190-pound athlete that at least a dozen female students at Emerald Ridge High School complained about.
Those girls told administrators that two biological boys were making them uncomfortable in the girls' locker room.
School officials brushed them aside.
Federal Title IX Investigation Targets Washington School District's Trans Athlete Policy
The Office for Civil Rights will determine whether Puyallup School District violated Title IX by allowing males to compete in female sports, allowing males to access locker rooms designated for female students, and failing to adequately respond to allegations of sexual assault.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey didn't mince words about what happened.
"The allegations in this case are sickening," Richey said.
"While the District may prioritize ideological agendas over the safety and dignity of its students, the Trump Administration will not tolerate such conduct."
Richey states her department will continue to enforce Title IX to ensure women and girls have safe, equal access to educational programs and opportunities, and that allegations of sexual assault are addressed promptly and fully.
This investigation comes as Trump's Department of Education has opened 18 similar investigations nationwide into school districts that allow biological males to compete against females.
Four of those investigations target Washington school districts – Puyallup, Cheney, Sultan, Tacoma, and Vancouver.
The Trump administration argues that athletes assigned male at birth have physical advantages that pose safety risks to female athletes.
Keeler told unDivided the incident made her reconsider returning to wrestling because she's not sure if she can feel safe on the wrestling mat.
"Boys shouldn't be allowed in women's sports, whether they identify as female or not," she said.
"Especially in strength-based sports."
The male wrestler advanced to state as a freshman over the weekend, beating older, more experienced female competitors.
Meanwhile, Kallie Keeler is left wondering if she can ever feel safe in her sport again – because school officials protected a boy's feelings over a girl's safety.
Sources:
- Austin Perry, "EXCLUSIVE: Dept. Of Ed. Opens Investigation Into Alleged Sexual Assault By Trans Wrestler During HS Match," OutKick, February 13, 2026.
- Brandi Kruse, "Teen athlete says she was sexually violated by trans wrestler – and the school district did nothing," unDivided, February 10, 2026.
- Carly Cappeltto, Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy statement, Pierce County Sheriff's Office, February 2026.
- "4 Washington school districts under federal investigation for transgender athlete policies," King5, January 2026.
- "Trump administration opens 18 investigations into transgender-athlete policies," Washington Times, January 2026.
