Trump Administration Launches Title IX Investigation into Maine

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into Maine's compliance with Title IX following a contentious exchange between President Donald Trump and Governor Janet Mills. Trump criticized Mills for not adhering to his executive order that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, threatening to withdraw federal funding if she does not comply. Mills asserted that Maine would follow the law and indicated readiness to challenge the federal government in court. The investigation will assess whether Maine's policies violate the federal law barring sex-based discrimination in schools, particularly concerning the rights of female athletes. This inquiry marks Maine as the third state to face such scrutiny under the Trump administration, joining California and Minnesota. The administration's actions underscore its commitment to enforcing its interpretation of Title IX amidst ongoing national debates over transgender rights in athletics.