US DOJ sues Maine over transgender athletes in sports

The Trump administration, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has filed a lawsuit against Maine’s Department of Education for allowing transgender female athletes to compete in girls' and women’s sports, claiming this violates Title IX. The action follows President Trump’s February executive order defining sex by biological birth for federal funding purposes, and threats to withhold federal funds from Maine if the state did not comply. Bondi argued the state is discriminating against women and failing to protect their safety, while Education Secretary Linda McMahon warned that noncompliance could result in further federal civil rights investigations. Maine Governor Janet Mills and state officials maintain that implementing the federal order would violate Maine’s Human Rights Act, which protects transgender students’ rights to participate in sports according to their gender identity. The legal battle highlights a broader national debate over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports, with the issue potentially heading to the Supreme Court. Both sides remain entrenched, with Maine insisting on upholding its own anti-discrimination laws despite federal pressure.