Justice Department Sues Maine Over Transgender Athlete Policy

The US Justice Department (DOJ) announced Wednesday it is suing the state of Maine for allegedly violating Title IX and defying President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at preventing transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, as per Fox News.

Attorney General Pam Bondi made the announcement at a press conference, characterizing Maine’s policies as discriminatory.

“The Department of Justice will not sit by when women are discriminated against in sports,” Bondi stated. “… What they have been through is horrific.”

The lawsuit is the latest escalation in the conflict between the Trump administration and Maine, which has staunchly defended its inclusive policies. The dispute also involves a previously initiated funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which was subsequently paused by a federal judge.

Bondi was joined at the press conference by conservative activist Riley Gaines and fencer Stephanie Turner, who recently protested against trans inclusion in women’s fencing. Turner expressed her gratitude for the DOJ’s action, stating:

“I’m so grateful that we have an administration that is taking this issue seriously.”

The DOJ is seeking an injunction and the return of titles to female athletes who lost to transgender competitors. Bondi stated the administration wants states to “comply with us.”

Maine Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey’s offices were contacted for comment.

The Trump administration has applied significant pressure on Maine in recent weeks, launching investigations into educational institutions and enacting the USDA funding cut. Maine, in turn, has filed its own lawsuit against the administration over the USDA cuts, leading to the court-ordered funding freeze pause.

Within Maine, the issue has ignited a partisan battle. Republican State Rep. Laurel Libby, who previously brought attention to a trans athlete’s victory in a girls’ pole vault competition, welcomed the DOJ’s intervention.

“I’m gratified to see the DOJ intervene and take legal action against the state,” Libby said.

She and her Republican colleagues are challenging the Democrat-led state government’s stance on trans inclusion.

The lawsuit follows a heated exchange between Trump and Mills at a bipartisan meeting of governors in February, where Trump reportedly told Mills, “see you in court,” after she asserted Maine would not comply with his order.

Adding another layer to the conflict, the MSAD #70 School Board in Maine voted unanimously to comply with Title IX, with Superintendent Tyler Putnam stating he will amend the district’s policies to prevent trans athletes from competing in girls’ sports.

The issue continues to generate public debate, as exemplified by a recent incident at a school board meeting in Augusta where a parent, Nick Blanchard, was cut off while discussing the issue and advocating for the removal of a school administrator who supports trans inclusion.