Potential 2028 hopeful challenges Trump's surgery ban while critiquing women's sports bill's supporters

However, that did not quell concerns among the state's Senate GOP majority. A spokesman for the caucus' campaign committee called it Shapiro's "attempt to ingratiate himself with the Democrats' radical base [that] puts the health of children at risk."

"Josh Shapiro's presidential aspirations are no secret," SRCC Executive Director Cody Harbaugh said.

Shapiro also explicitly lambasted Trump and potential second-time gubernatorial opponent Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg, as "extremist politicians" for "trying to legislate a student's participation [in scholastic sports] and legislate the restriction on freedom the way they've tried to do on many other things."

"Josh Shapiro just called Senator Mastriano and President Trump 'extremist politicians' for standing up for women's sports. Let's be honest. It's Shapiro who's extreme," Mastriano countered in comments to Fox News Digital.

"He's denying science and forcing biological males into women's sports," Mastriano added, calling such a push from the left "a woke patriarchy that tramples women's rights."

"We cannot allow the opportunities that Title IX enshrined for women to be lost," Ward said of her bill in a separate statement.

Mastriano, whose populist streak has ruffled feathers with some in his own party, is seen as a top potential opponent to Shapiro again in 2026.

The White House said the lawsuit Shapiro joined is "exactly why the Democratic Party's approval continues to hit new lows. 

"They back radical policies that over 90% of America does not support," spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital.

"President Trump took decisive action on day one to stop the despicable mutilation and chemical castration of children, which everyday Americans resoundingly support. The president has the lawful authority to protect America's vulnerable children through executive action, and the administration looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue."

Shapiro has broken with some in his party on issues or people considered "extreme" on the right.

When antisemitic protests broke out at the University of Pennsylvania, Shapiro broke with progressives and demanded the college "act [and] disband the encampment and restore order."

"With the victories of progressive Democrat candidates in places like New York City, Shapiro knows he has no choice but to abandon common sense," the SRCC said in a statement.

"You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you can't leave room for that to just sit there," he said.

Mastriano said, "don't believe" Shapiro when he "pretends to be a moderate" in cases like the Trump lawsuit.

Shapiro supporters pointed to a July ranking placing him as the nation's 9th most popular governor.