The US government has filed a lawsuit against Maine, alleging that the state is violating Title IX by allowing transgender female athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports. The move escalates the conflict between the Trump administration and Maine over the issue.
Maine Governor Janet Mills said the suit shows “a federal government bent on imposing its will” and that it’s about states’ rights and defending the rule of law against a federal government trying to impose its will.
The lawsuit cites two instances where transgender athletes won girls’ competitions, including a pole vaulter who took state indoor track and field championships in February. The US Attorney General said the department is probing similar issues in other states.
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, but Maine argues that it does not prohibit transgender females from participating in women’s sports.
The majority of Americans do not support transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports, with 55% opposing such participation at the elementary and high school level.
Maine is facing potential cuts to federal funding for schools and lunch programs over the issue. A US District Court judge temporarily blocked a US Department of Agriculture notification that froze school lunch funding due to alleged Title IX violations.
The Justice Department also pulled over $1.5 billion in federal grants from Maine’s corrections department earlier this month.
The lawsuit comes as the state prepares for competitive House and Senate races in next year’s midterm elections, which will help determine control of Congress.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-take-legal-action-against-maine-over-trump-executive-order-transgender-2025-04-16