Trump Admin Slashes Funding Over Virginia Schools’ Secret Abortions
ARLINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education is set to cut federal funding to five Northern Virginia school districts, including Fairfax County, after they refused to comply with Title IX regulations. The decision follows Fairfax County’s Centerville High School’s 2021 actions, where staff facilitated secret abortions for teenage girls without parental consent, allegedly using school funds. Fairfax County faces a potential loss of $160 million in federal aid.
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issued a July 25 warning, citing violations of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. The districts—Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William, and Alexandria—were given 10 days to revise policies allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. By August 15, all five districts refused, prompting the DOE to initiate funding suspension.
The Fairfax case has sparked outrage, with allegations that a school social worker bypassed Virginia’s parental consent law to arrange abortions, possibly with administrative knowledge. Governor Glenn Youngkin has ordered a Virginia State Police investigation into the matter, expressing deep concern over the misuse of public funds and violation of parental rights.
Olivia Gans Turner of the Virginia Society for Human Life condemned the school’s actions, highlighting the breach of trust. Meanwhile, a proposed “Right to Reproductive Freedom” Amendment, which could eliminate parental consent laws and expand abortion access, passed its first legislative hurdle in 2025. Its fate hinges on the 2025 elections, which could determine Virginia’s future as a potential abortion hub.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.