Judge Orders Restoration of Maine School Funding

A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze federal funds to Maine, previously halted due to a dispute over Title IX compliance regarding transgender athletes. This ruling demands the USDA release funds crucial for school nutrition and other programs, affecting children and vulnerable adults. The court's decision follows Maine's lawsuit against the USDA, challenging the legality of withholding congressionally appropriated funds without proper procedures. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey emphasized that the administration's actions were unlawful. The judge also barred future fund freezes related to Title IX violations without legal compliance. This conflict arose after President Trump's executive order aimed to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, which Maine refused to enforce.