Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills Face Off Over Transgender Athlete Policy

Trump Administration Opens Investigation into Maine’s Transgender Sports Policy

The Department of Education has initiated a civil rights investigation into Maine’s policy on transgender student participation in sports, a move that could potentially lead to the withdrawal of federal funding from the state’s schools.

On Friday, the department announced the probe following President Donald Trump’s remarks at a White House gathering of governors, where he criticized Maine’s approach and warned of financial consequences for noncompliance with federal directives.

During the meeting, President Trump highlighted his executive order prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, emphasizing its impact on the NCAA. He then pointed to Maine and its Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, questioning her stance on adhering to his directive. When Mills refrained from committing to compliance, the administration took immediate action.

Within hours, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated a self-directed investigation into the Maine Department of Education for alleged Title IX violations. The federal statute prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs receiving federal funding. According to OCR, Maine has been accused of "allowing male athletes to compete in girls’ sports and denying female athletes exclusive access to female-only facilities, thus violating federal antidiscrimination protections."

"Let me be clear: If Maine wants to continue receiving federal education funds, it must comply with Title IX," stated Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights. "If the state prefers to reject federal support and disregard the rights of young female athletes, that decision is entirely up to them."

Although opening a civil rights inquiry is an essential step in the process of revoking federal funding, proving a violation remains a complex legal challenge. Historically, Washington has rarely exercised the authority to cut off education funds over such matters.

The Office for Civil Rights formally notified Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin that it is investigating Maine School Administrative District No. 51 and Greely High School in Cumberland. The inquiry stems from the school’s decision to permit a transgender athlete to compete in girls’ sports, a controversy that gained traction after state Representative Laurel Libby, a Republican, highlighted the student’s victory in a pole-vaulting state championship on social media.

This marks the third such investigation into states with policies that support gender identity inclusion. Earlier this month, the department launched similar investigations into the Minnesota State High School League and the California Interscholastic Federation. While Maine law—under the Human Rights Act—prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, the Education Department emphasized on Friday that "state laws do not supersede federal antidiscrimination statutes."

Governor Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey have pledged to resist any federal attempts to withhold education funding.

"If the President seeks to unilaterally strip Maine students of critical federal resources, my Administration, alongside the Attorney General, will take all necessary legal steps to reinstate that funding and protect the educational opportunities it provides," Mills declared in a statement. "The State of Maine will not be coerced by the President’s threats."