Maine Faces Federal Funding Cuts Over Transgender Sports

The Trump administration has moved to pull federal funding from Maine due to the state's refusal to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports, citing a violation of Title IX. The U.S. Department of Education referred the matter to the Department of Justice after Maine officials, including Governor Janet Mills, declined to sign a resolution agreement that would comply with the executive order. This standoff follows a federal judge's order to temporarily unfreeze USDA funding cuts imposed on Maine for similar reasons. Maine argues that its policies are in line with federal court rulings and Title IX, which they believe permits the inclusion of transgender athletes. The Trump administration's stance has sparked a legal battle, with Maine asserting that no legal basis supports the federal government's demands. Federal funding is crucial for Maine, making up a significant portion of its education budget.