Trump Admin Sues Maine for Violating Executive Order Banning Males from Female Sports
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine for refusing to comply with a federal directive to prohibit transgender-identifying athletes from competing in girls and women’s sports.
The legal battle continues the ongoing clash between President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills, who previously responded to Trump’s executive order on the issue by declaring, “We’ll see you in court.” The administration has also threatened to withhold federal funding from the state if it does not comply.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the protection of women’s sports is a “huge issue” for the president and warned that other states such as Minnesota and California could face similar legal action.
“Pretty simple, girls play in girls’ sports, boys play in boys’ sports. Women play in women’s sports, men play in men’s sports,” Bondi said.
The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have stated that Maine’s education agency is violating Title IX by allowing biological males to compete on female athletic teams. The Department of Justice is seeking a court order to force the state to direct all schools to ban male athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports.
Governor Mills said the lawsuit was anticipated.
“This matter has never been about school sports or the protection of women and girls, as has been claimed,” the governor said in a statement. “It is about states rights and defending the rule of law against a federal government bent on imposing its will, instead of upholding the law.”
The government’s complaint cited several examples of transgender-identifying athletes in the state of Maine taking opportunities away from girls. In February, a biological male placed first in the pole vault at an indoor track and field meet. Last year, a male athlete who began competing as a female in women’s cross-country events finished first in the women’s 5K.
