The Donald Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine over its policy allowing transgender girls to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, disclosed this during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday.
The announcement followed a long dispute between the federal government and Democratic Governor Janet Mills.
The lawsuit accused Maine of violating Title IX, which states that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
The Justice Department argues that allowing transgender girls to compete places biological female athletes at a disadvantage, as it gives transgender athletes an unfair competitive edge.
“The undeniable physiological differences between males and females provide boys with inherent advantages in strength, speed, and physicality,” the Attorney-General said.
According to Bondi, “Girls are being displaced from podiums and losing opportunities for scholarships and recognition.”
The interpretation of Title IX under former U.S. President Joe Biden previously allowed broader inclusion of transgender students.
However, President Trump has issued an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which mandates states to prohibit transgender girls and women from competing in female sports divisions—an order that Maine has refused to comply with.
In response, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures, including the withdrawal of over $1.5m in federal grants from Maine’s Department of Corrections and the freezing of school lunch program funds by the Department of Agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon both cited Maine’s noncompliance with Title IX as justification for the funding cuts.
The Department of Education, on April 2, announced it was halting $250m in federal K-12 education funds and referred the matter to the Justice Department for enforcement.
Despite mounting pressure, Maine officials have stood firm. Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster responded to federal authorities, stating that “nothing in Title IX or its implementing regulations prohibits schools from allowing transgender girls and women to participate on girls’ and women’s sports teams.”
She also criticised the federal agencies for failing to cite any legal precedent supporting their interpretation.
Governor Mills has also taken the matter to court in an attempt to block the order freezing funding.
“We’re going to comply with federal laws,” she told the president during a heated exchange at a February 21 meeting.
“We’ll see you in court,” she declared.
At the press conference announcing the lawsuit, Attorney General Bondi said the Justice Department is also seeking to reassign sports titles and honors to biological female athletes.
Bondi also hinted that the administration may impose additional penalties on Maine for past noncompliance.
Riley Gaines, a former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) swimmer and vocal opponent of transgender inclusion in women’s sports, also spoke at the event.
Gaines was previously tied for fifth place with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2022 NCAA championships.
She praised the Trump administration’s actions as essential for protecting women’s rights by ensuring a level playing field in sports.
She also criticized Maine’s governor for supporting policies she described as harmful to female athletes.
