Trump Administration Takes Legal Action Against Maine Over Transgender Athlete Policy
In a move that has stirred significant controversy and debate, the Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it is suing Maine’s education department. The lawsuit is centered around the state’s non-compliance with the federal government’s directive to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. This legal action marks an escalation in the ongoing dispute over whether Maine is adhering to federal laws that prohibit discrimination in education based on sex.
The lawsuit comes after several weeks of intense back-and-forth between the Republican administration and Democratic Governor Janet Mills. The tension has reached a boiling point, with threats to cut off essential federal funding and a dramatic confrontation at the White House. During this clash, Governor Mills defiantly told the president, “We’ll see you in court.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaking at a news conference alongside Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, emphasized the administration’s stance. “We are going to continue to fight for women,” Bondi declared. Gaines has become a prominent figure in the opposition to transgender athletes, having tied with a transgender athlete for fifth place in a 2022 NCAA championship. She has also testified before lawmakers across the country, framing the issue as one of women’s rights.
The Trump administration’s departments of Education and Health and Human Services have accused Maine’s agency of violating the federal Title IX antidiscrimination law. They argue that by allowing transgender girls to participate on girls’ teams, Maine is not complying with the law’s provisions.
This lawsuit represents a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to gender identity issues compared to previous Democratic administrations. Under President Joe Biden, efforts were made to extend civil rights protections to transgender individuals. Notably, in 2016, the Justice Department, led by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, sued North Carolina over a law that required transgender individuals to use public restrooms and showers corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate.
Maine officials have stood firm in their position, refusing to agree to a settlement that would ban transgender students from sports. They argue that the law does not prevent schools from allowing transgender athletes to participate. In February, Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” granting federal agencies broad authority to ensure that entities receiving federal funding comply with Title IX according to the administration’s interpretation of “sex” as the gender assigned at birth.
Trump was joined by Gaines and other female athletes at the signing of the executive order, all of whom support the ban. During a meeting with governors in February, Trump threatened to withdraw federal funding from Maine if the state did not comply with his executive order. Governor Mills responded with her now-famous retort: “We’ll see you in court.”
In response, Maine filed a lawsuit against the administration earlier this month after the Department of Agriculture announced it was pausing some funding for the state’s educational programs. The administration claimed that Maine’s failure to comply with the Title IX law was the reason for the funding freeze. However, a federal judge recently ordered the administration to unfreeze funds intended for a Maine child nutrition program.
Sarah Foster, Maine’s assistant attorney general, reiterated the state’s position in a letter to the Education Department last week. She stated that nothing in the law “prohibits schools from allowing transgender girls and women to participate on girls’ and women’s sports teams.”
The rights of transgender individuals have become a major political issue in recent years. Currently, twenty-six states have laws or policies that bar transgender girls from participating in girls’ school sports. Additionally, GOP-controlled states have been enacting bans on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors and imposing restrictions on bathroom use in schools and other public buildings.
During the 2024 presidential race, Trump campaigned vigorously against the participation of transgender athletes in sports. As president, he has signed executive orders to enforce this stance and to adopt a rigid definition of sex for federal government purposes. These orders are currently being challenged in court.
- Twenty-six states have laws or policies barring transgender girls from girls’ school sports.
- Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” in February.
- A federal judge ordered the administration to unfreeze funds for a Maine child nutrition program.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
