Trump Administration Freezes Maine Funding Over Trans Athletes in Girls' Sports

The Trump administration has taken a hard stance on Maine's refusal to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports, freezing federal funding to the state through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This action follows the state’s defiance of President Donald Trump's executive order issued in February. The order demanded compliance with Title IX protections for women and girls in educational programs, which Maine officials have openly resisted.

USDA Secretary Brooks Rollins emphasized the need for Maine to demonstrate compliance with Title IX before federal funding can resume. In a letter to the state, Rollins stated that taxpayer dollars would only be allocated to programs that protect female athletes from competing against or sharing locker rooms with transgender individuals. Rollins also criticized grants awarded by the Biden administration to Maine’s Department of Education, labeling many as "wasteful" and "against the priorities of the Trump Administration."

State GOP Representative Laurel Libby has been at the forefront of the controversy, calling attention to Maine's inclusion policies after posting about a transgender pole vaulter at Greely High School who previously competed as male but took first place in a girls’ competition. Libby’s post sparked a national conversation, though she faced backlash from Maine’s Democratic majority, including formal censure for identifying a minor in her post. Undeterred, Libby has filed a lawsuit to overturn the censure.

Libby expressed frustration over the state’s decision to "embrace radical left-wing ideology over the safety and rights of Maine women and girls," pointing out the consequences of defying federal law. "Maine students stand to lose hundreds of millions in federal funding," Libby said, urging Democrats to reconsider their stance for the sake of fairness and sanity.

The issue has not been confined to isolated incidents. Several Maine girls have reported sharing locker rooms and competing against transgender athletes, leading to emotional and psychological challenges. Cassidy Carlisle, a Maine teenager, shared her experience of competing in Nordic skiing against a transgender athlete, describing it as "heartbreaking" and emphasizing the difficulty of speaking out due to fear of backlash.

Public opinion appears to favor restricting girls' sports to biological females. A recent survey by the American Parents Coalition revealed that 63% of Maine voters support school sports participation based on biological sex, while 66% believe it’s "only fair" to limit women’s sports to biological women. The poll also showed strong support for a ballot measure enforcing such restrictions, with backing from independents and parents alike.

As the April 11 deadline from the U.S. Department of Education looms, Maine faces additional federal scrutiny. The Department of Health and Human Services has already referred the state to the Department of Justice, signaling more sanctions could be forthcoming.

While the University of Maine System recently underwent a Title IX compliance review, funding was restored after the system demonstrated adherence to federal requirements. However, the primary battle remains at the high school level, where Maine’s policies have left female athletes grappling with fairness and safety concerns.