USA Fencing has ushered in new leadership following months of turbulence surrounding transgender athlete policies and inclusion debates that thrust the organization into the national spotlight.
Dr. Scott Rodgers, a Paralympic medalist in wheelchair fencing, was elected Board Chair on October 24, marking a historic moment as the first active athlete and first parafencer to hold the position. The organization confirmed Rodgers will serve through fall 2027, emphasizing the board’s dedication to athlete-centered governance.
The leadership transition follows former chair Damien Lehfeldt’s decision not to pursue another term, ending a controversial tenure marked by congressional testimony, lawsuits, and intense public scrutiny over the organization’s stance on transgender competitors.
Lehfeldt cited mounting pressures in explaining his departure, including legal battles and threats against him personally. The controversy reached fever pitch in April when women’s fencer Stephanie Turner knelt in protest before a match against a transgender opponent, resulting in her disqualification and sparking nationwide debate.
“I didn’t sign up to spend my nights and weekends dealing with lawsuits, death threats, and distractions that pull focus from the real work of governing and growing our sport,” Lehfeldt stated in his announcement. “I want to get back to fencing, to mentoring, to coaching, and to just being part of the community I love, not constantly defending it in courtrooms and comment sections.”
The former chair acknowledged the toll that balancing his volunteer position with full-time employment and family responsibilities had taken, admitting he had underestimated the demands of the role.
The situation escalated when Lehfeldt received a federal subpoena to testify before a congressional committee examining transgender participation in women’s sports. His appearance on May 7 became contentious after social media posts he had made previously came under harsh examination.
One Instagram post that circulated widely before the hearing showed Lehfeldt responding to a question about whether he was comfortable potentially disadvantaging female fencers. His one-word answer—”Yeah”—drew sharp criticism from committee members and advocates for women’s sports.
During the hearing, Lehfeldt repeatedly expressed regret for his response, acknowledging the issue deserved more thoughtful consideration. More damaging revelations emerged when he admitted to creating a fabricated email from a fictional fencing parent named “Dorothy” and making comparisons between those who disagreed with his views and KKK leadership.
“It was a poor attempt at humor,” Lehfeldt conceded.
When questioned by Rep. Tim Burchett about whether he would permit his own daughter to compete against a transgender athlete, Lehfeldt indicated he would accept it under certain conditions. “As long as the competitor has met all the hormonal requirements and complies with the policy, I would be OK with it,” he responded.
His testimony prompted legal action from former Olympic coach Andrey Geva and former Olympic fencer Abdel Salem, who filed suit alleging Lehfeldt made false statements during his congressional appearance.
Despite the controversies, Lehfeldt maintained his position on inclusivity in his departure statement. “Fencing is for everyone,” he declared. “No matter your race, religion, gender, gender identity, or socioeconomic background — this sport belongs to you. That’s not just a slogan to me; it’s a commitment.”
Turner, who became the face of opposition to USA Fencing’s transgender policies after her protest, told Fox News Digital following the May hearing that she intended to advocate for leadership changes within the organization. “I’m going to be pushing for people to resign, to be honest,” she said at the time.
The organization has since made significant policy adjustments. In June, the board voted to revise rules that had prioritized states with LGBTQ-friendly laws when selecting competition host sites and may have restricted national anthem performances at certain events—policies that generated substantial criticism.
By July, USA Fencing implemented new rules limiting the women’s category exclusively to female competitors. The change aligns with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s updated athlete safety guidelines, which reference President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
In addressing the ongoing litigation from Geva and Salem, USA Fencing issued a statement defending its operations and leadership. “USA Fencing proudly serves its members — athletes, coaches, referees and clubs — across our community with absolute transparency and integrity,” the organization stated, pledging to vigorously contest what it characterized as misrepresentations.
The organization emphasized its commitment to advancing the sport while supporting all members and upholding Olympic and Paralympic values. In thanking Lehfeldt for his service, USA Fencing acknowledged his term had concluded while expressing confidence in the new direction under Rodgers’ leadership.
