What started as a political disagreement is now shaping up to be a full-blown legal showdown.
At the heart of it: a deepening feud between former President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills over the role of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
And this week, things just got even more intense.
Federal Lawsuit Hits Maine Over Trans Athlete Participation
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi held a press conference in Washington this week, standing beside conservative activist Riley Gaines, to announce a new lawsuit targeting Maine’s Department of Education.
The accusation? That the state isn’t complying with Trump’s executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
The move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between Trump’s administration and Maine’s leadership.
A Threat to School Funding Sparks Outrage
The lawsuit follows another aggressive step taken by the administration just days earlier.
In a dramatic move, Trump’s team attempted to halt all federal funding for Maine’s public schools — including money earmarked for school lunches.
The spark was a tense February meeting where Trump confronted a group of governors, including Governor Mills.
He threatened to strip Maine of funding unless the state enforced his executive order.
Mills didn’t back down, replying firmly, “We’re going to follow the law, sir. We’ll see you in court.”
Who’s Affected? Not Many, Says NCAA President
While the political debate rages, some point out that the actual number of transgender athletes is extremely small.
NCAA President Charlie Baker noted in January that out of over 510,000 student athletes competing at the college level, fewer than 10 have publicly identified as transgender.
Still, Trump has made this issue a centerpiece of his political messaging, arguing it’s about fairness in competition — while opponents say it unfairly targets a vulnerable group.
Federal Agencies Freeze — Then Unfreeze — Nutrition Funding
On April 2, the U.S. Department of Agriculture took action, freezing funds tied to school nutrition programs in Maine.
The justification? The state’s alleged non-compliance with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined in a letter that this funding freeze was directly related to the standoff over transgender inclusion in sports.
The impact was immediate: Maine’s Department of Education was blocked from accessing millions in federal funds tied to child nutrition programs.
But then came a court ruling. A federal judge stepped in and ordered that the Trump administration unfreeze those funds.
Maine’s Attorney General Aaron Frey had filed a lawsuit arguing that over $1.8 million was owed to the state’s school meal program this fiscal year.
Another $900,000 in past awards were also at stake, along with $3 million expected for the summer lunch program.
Local School Districts Begin Aligning With Trump’s Executive Order
The ripple effect has already reached local school boards.
In Hodgdon, Maine — a district known for its conservative leanings — the school board voted unanimously to adopt policies that recognize only two biological sexes.
That decision requires all private spaces, including sports teams, to be separated strictly by biological sex.
Tyler Putnam, the superintendent for MSAD #70, explained to Fox News that he’s now updating the district’s policies to reflect this new directive.
That includes banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.
Putnam emphasized that these changes must still go through the board’s approval process, but the message from the district is clear.
So, What Happens Next?
With federal lawsuits in motion, school districts rewriting policies, and millions in funding hanging in the balance, this fight is far from over.
The clash between state and federal priorities is pushing schools into a difficult position — caught between compliance, funding, and the rights of students.
What comes next may depend on future court decisions, public pressure, and how state leaders like Governor Mills continue to respond.
One thing’s for sure: the national spotlight isn’t moving away from Maine any time soon.