Maine Sues Trump Admin Over Federal Funding Freeze Amid Trans Athlete Dispute

Maine is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after the agency froze funding due to the state's refusal to comply with President Trump's directive banning transgender women and girls from competing in women's sports. In response, Maine filed a lawsuit claiming the funding halt is unlawful and jeopardizes critical programs that provide food for schoolchildren. Governor Janet Mills has publicly opposed the funding freeze and the underlying policies, asserting that Maine complies with existing civil rights laws. In contrast, 14 Maine state senators have expressed their support for Trump's stance, arguing that the state's policies violate Title IX and calling for legislative changes. The USDA has indicated that the funding freeze will not affect direct assistance programs but has warned that the state could reverse the freeze by aligning with federal laws. This ongoing dispute highlights the tensions between state governance and federal mandates regarding transgender rights in sports.