Maine, Trump Admin Settle Nutrition Funds Lawsuit

The Trump administration and Maine settled a lawsuit over a $3 million freeze in USDA nutrition funding, which was imposed in response to President Trump’s executive order interpreting Title IX to exclude gender identity, targeting Maine’s policy on transgender athletes in girls’ sports. The freeze affected programs supporting 172,000 children and vulnerable adults in Maine. After Maine sued, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order restoring the funds. Under the settlement, the USDA agreed not to withhold or interfere with Maine’s nutrition funding over Title IX disputes without following all legally required procedures. Maine dropped the lawsuit, and the Trump administration did not admit wrongdoing. Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey praised the outcome as a legal victory protecting critical support for children and vulnerable adults.