
Trump DOJ sues Maine in standoff over transgender athletes in women’s sportsThe Justice Department has filed suit against Maine in an effort to challenge the state’s policy regarding transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
| Published April 16, 2025
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine, alleging that its policies allowing transgender girls to participate in girls’ and women’s sports violate Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the legal action, asserting that Maine’s Department of Education is in defiance of President Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which directs federal agencies to enforce a prohibition of transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports.
The lawsuit follows a series of confrontations between President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills. Earlier this year, the administration threatened to withhold federal education funding, including school lunch programs, from Maine over its stance on transgender athletes. A federal judge later intervened to restore the funding. hts laws, which allow transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. Attorney General Aaron Frey criticized the federal lawsuit as lacking legal grounding and accused the administration of overreach.
This legal battle is part of a broader national debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. Currently, 26 states have enacted laws or policies restricting transgender participation in school sports.
Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the lawsuit’s implications for transgender rights. Organizations like GLAAD have condemned the legal action, arguing that it targets vulnerable students and undermines inclusivity in education.
As the case proceeds, it is expected to have significant ramifications for the interpretation of Title IX and the rights of transgender athletes across the United States.
SOURCES: STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS – Trump v. Maine: DOJ sues state over trans athletes in women’s sports
ABC NEWS – Trump DOJ files civil suit against Maine in standoff over transgender athletes in women’s sports
USA TODAY – Trump admin sues Maine over transgender athletes
CNN – Trump DOJ sues Maine over refusing to comply with ban on transgender athletes in high school sports
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