Washington, D.C. — Former NCAA swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines is once again at the center of controversy after a fiery exchange with a Democratic lawmaker who called her testimony “transphobic” and demanded that her statements be stricken from the official record.

Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines speaks at ETSU against inclusion of trans athletes | WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather

The clash occurred during a heated congressional hearing on the protection of women’s sports, where Gaines—known for her outspoken opposition to allowing transgender women to compete against biological females—testified passionately in favor of legislation she says would ensure fairness and safety in athletic competition.

Midway through the hearing, Representative Alexandria Mercado (D-CA) interrupted Gaines, labeling her statements as “deeply offensive and dangerous.” Mercado requested that Gaines’s remarks be removed from the official record, calling them “a blatant attack on the trans community.”

Riley Gaines fires back at Dem who wanted swimmer’s ‘transphobic’ remarks stricken from record

But Gaines didn’t back down.

“Silencing women who speak the truth about biology doesn’t make you progressive—it makes you a coward,” Gaines shot back. “You can’t erase science just because it makes you uncomfortable. Women deserve fair competition, and I won’t apologize for saying so.”

The hearing quickly descended into chaos, with lawmakers on both sides raising their voices and trading barbs. While some praised Gaines for her courage, others accused her of fear-mongering and perpetuating discrimination under the guise of fairness.

No one protected us': Riley Gaines slams trans females competing in women's sports during House hearing

Gaines later took to social media to address the confrontation, writing:

“If standing up for women makes me ‘transphobic,’ then so be it. I’m not here to be liked—I’m here to be honest.”

The incident has ignited a fresh wave of debate nationwide, highlighting the deep divisions over gender identity, free speech, and the future of women’s sports.

Supporters hailed Gaines as a hero for standing firm, while critics condemned her rhetoric as harmful and inflammatory. The controversy has also reignited discussions about the limits of speech within government forums—and whether dissenting views on gender policy should be labeled as hate speech.

As the political firestorm intensifies, one thing is clear: Riley Gaines is not backing down—and neither is the debate.