Federal Action Against Maine Over Transgender Athlete Policy Escalates

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Education announced it will proceed with enforcement action against Maine following the state’s refusal to agree to a Title IX resolution prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports.

On April 11, the Department informed Maine officials that it will initiate administrative proceedings to terminate federal K-12 funding, including both formula and discretionary grants. The matter will also be referred to the Department of Justice for further actions, as Maine’s Department of Education and Attorney General’s Office declined to sign the proposed resolution agreement.

Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster emphasized in a letter that nothing in Title IX forbids schools from allowing transgender girls and women to participate on teams that match their gender identity. “Your letters to date do not cite a single case that so holds,” she wrote. According to her, numerous federal courts have ruled that Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause demand schools permit such participation.

This federal scrutiny follows previous claims from U.S. officials that Maine’s Department of Education was not in compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on February 5, which prohibits transgender athletes from participation in women’s sports.

“The Department has given Maine every opportunity to come into compliance with Title IX, but the state’s leaders have stubbornly refused to do so,” stated Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. “Now, the Maine Department of Education will have to defend its practices before an administrative law judge and in federal court.”

Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills responded to the unfolding legal showdown, citing her commitment to comply with state and federal laws. During a February meeting at the White House, when Trump questioned her compliance, she replied, “See you in court.” Trump’s response to her defiance was that her refusal could lead to the loss of federal funding.

Mills previously asserted that “the State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President’s threats” and has indicated that her administration will take necessary legal actions to restore the lost funding for Maine school children.

The conflict over transgender athletes has major implications for Maine, where approximately 510,000 collegiate athletes participate in sports, of which fewer than ten publicly identify as transgender, according to NCAA President Charlie Baker.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initially warned Maine on April 2 that it was at risk of losing federal school funding due to violations related to Title IX. A U.S. District Court judge temporarily blocked the USDA from cutting off funds following Maine’s legal challenge against the federal decision.

This dispute is part of a national trend over transgender rights and sports, as various states grapple with the implications of federal mandates regarding athletic participation. Maine officials view the Education Department’s actions as politically motivated, while advocates and opponents aim to safeguard the rights of both transgender and cisgender athletes.

The Department of Education’s recent referral to the Justice Department marks a significant step in a divisive political battle regarding gender identity and sports regulations. As legal proceedings unfold, both sides prepare for a complex legal showdown regarding Title IX compliance.