Republican lawmakers threaten Justice Department action against WNBA over physical play

A group of nearly a dozen Republican lawmakers led by Texas representative August Pfluger sent a letter this week threatening to direct the Department of Justice to investigate the WNBA unless the league takes steps to protect Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark from physical contact during games.

The letter states that hard fouls against Clark "may be racially motivated" and suggests a civil rights lawsuit against the league on Clark's behalf could be considered. It follows a 162-page White House report released earlier in the week that accused the National Museum of American History of engaging in "anti-White activism" and criticized exhibits at Smithsonian museums.

Congressional letter and prior actions The Pfluger letter represents the third instance in less than a month in which the Trump administration or its allies have raised concerns about sports-related issues. In June, the Justice Department announced it would examine whether Major League Baseball's Pride Night events discriminated against Christian players.

Last week, President Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding a one-game suspension issued to U.S. national team forward Folarin Balogun before a quarter-final match.

Clark's public statements Clark has spent recent days focusing her public comments on the effects of social media toxicity. She has avoided direct statements linking her personal views to segments of her fan base that have made racial claims about her.

The letter places Clark in a position where she may face pressure to address being positioned as requiring federal protection from opponents described in the letter as Black players.