USDA Freezes Maine Education Funds Over Transgender Policy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has frozen federal funding for certain educational programs in Maine due to the state's refusal to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports, in compliance with President Trump's executive order. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that the funding pause is a consequence of Maine's non-compliance with Title IX, which the Trump administration interprets as protecting female athletes from competing with transgender athletes. The funding freeze does not affect federal feeding programs or direct aid to citizens. The USDA is also reviewing grants awarded by the Biden administration to Maine's Department of Education, citing concerns over redundancy and misalignment with the Trump administration's priorities. Maine officials, including Governor Janet Mills, argue that the state's policies align with the Maine Human Rights Act, which protects transgender athletes, and have indicated potential legal challenges. The USDA's actions reflect broader federal efforts to enforce compliance with Trump administration policies on transgender rights and educational funding priorities.