Blackburn Takes Aim at Jackson as Supreme Court Weighs Transgender Sports Cases
Tennessee Today

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) didn’t hesitate on Tuesday as the Supreme Court heard arguments over whether states can protect women’s sports from being overtaken by gender ideology.

 

As the justices considered laws from Idaho and West Virginia that require athletes to compete based on biological sex, Blackburn revived a moment many Americans haven’t forgotten: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s refusal to define the word “woman” during her 2022 confirmation hearings.

 

In a radio interview, Blackburn questioned whether Jackson would again dodge the issue. “I think it’ll be interesting to see if today she says she has no opinion because she’s not a biologist,” Blackburn said, referencing Jackson’s now-infamous response to the Senate.

 

The cases center on whether sex-based athletic teams violate Title IX or the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. Blackburn has long been known as a champion for protecting women’s sports by constantly being outspoken about fairness, safety, and opportunity for female athletes.

 

During oral arguments, Jackson raised concerns about how the laws distinguish between sex and gender identity, suggesting transgender girls are treated differently than biological females. Critics, including Blackburn, say that’s precisely the point: women’s sports exist to protect women.

 

After more than three hours of arguments, several justices appeared open to upholding the state laws, signaling that common sense may still have a seat at the bench.

 

Following the hearing, Blackburn sharpened her criticism in a post on X, writing “This radical ideology isn’t just out of touch; it puts REAL women at risk every day”

 

The Court’s decision, expected later this summer, could have sweeping consequences for school sports nationwide but for Blackburn, the issue remains simple: women deserve to compete on a level playing field.