Maine School Officials Defy Trump's Ultimatum on Transgender Athletes in Girls' Sports

Maine School Administrative District 51 announced Thursday that it will not comply with an ultimatum from the Trump administration to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. The district, home to Greely High School, has decided to adhere to state regulations and the Maine Human Rights Act instead.

In a statement, the district expressed gratitude to its students for their resilience amidst the controversy, saying, "To our students: Thank you for your maturity, perseverance and dedication to learning through these distractions. Please continue to lead the way."

The Maine Principals' Association echoed the sentiment, reaffirming its commitment to state laws, including the Maine Human Rights Act, which it states are reflected in its participation policy.

Despite recent polling data indicating that 63% of registered Maine voters believe sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% think women’s sports should be restricted to biological females, the district has chosen to stand firm against federal pressure.

The controversy gained national attention earlier this year when a transgender athlete at Greely High School won a girls’ pole vault competition. This prompted Maine Republican state Rep. Laurel Libby to post the athlete's name and photograph online, leading to backlash and safety concerns that resulted in police protection for the school.

Trump’s feud with Maine Governor Janet Mills over this issue has been fiery, to say the least. After threatening to cut federal funding, Mills responded with threats of legal action, culminating in a high-profile argument at the White House. Meanwhile, protests against Mills have been held at the state Capitol, and the Maine University System has temporarily complied with Trump’s directive to avoid losing funding.

Adding fuel to the fire, the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights recently declared that Maine’s policies violated Title IX and gave the state 10 days to sign an agreement to amend them. That deadline passed Thursday, with no compliance in sight. Acting Director Anthony Archeval warned of potential legal consequences, stating, "What HHS is asking of the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principals' Association, and Greely High School is simple — protect female athletes’ rights. Girls deserve girls-only sports without male competitors."

It’s clear this issue is far from resolved. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with legal battles and public protests continuing to escalate. If you thought school sports were just about teamwork and trophies, think again—this debate is playing out like a political Olympics.