“Federal Funds on Hold: Maine Challenged Over Trans Athlete Policy”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Wednesday that it is pausing and reviewing federal funding to the state of Maine over what it describes as noncompliance with federal standards related to equal opportunities in education programs—specifically protections for female student-athletes under Title IX.

The review follows Maine’s decision not to implement a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump in February, which directs states to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. The executive order was framed as an enforcement mechanism to protect the integrity of women’s athletic programs under Title IX. President Trump had previously indicated that states declining to comply would risk losing access to federal funding.

In a letter sent to Maine state officials, USDA Secretary Brooks Rollins stated that continued receipt of USDA funding is contingent upon the state demonstrating adherence to Title IX protections. “In order to continue to receive taxpayer dollars from USDA, the state of Maine must demonstrate compliance with Title IX, which protects female student athletes from having to compete with or against, or having to appear unclothed before, males,” Rollins wrote.

Rollins also announced a broader review of federal grants awarded to the Maine Department of Education during the Biden administration, asserting that many of those grants do not align with the current administration’s priorities. “USDA will not stand for the Biden Administration’s bloated bureaucracy and will instead focus on a Department that is farmer-first and without a leftist social agenda,” he added.

State Representative Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) has been a vocal advocate for aligning Maine’s policies with the federal directive. Libby brought attention to the issue when she publicly raised concerns about a transgender high school athlete competing in a girls’ track and field event, following a prior year of competing as a male. Her comments led to a censure from the Maine House Democrat majority for identifying a minor, a decision she is currently challenging through litigation.

The athlete’s participation sparked public debate in Maine and beyond, with several students and parents sharing personal stories about the impacts of transgender inclusion policies in school sports and locker room arrangements. One student, Cassidy Carlisle, told media outlets that her experiences competing against and sharing facilities with transgender athletes were “heartbreaking” and that concerns over social backlash have made it difficult for students to speak out.

The U.S. Department of Education has issued a separate notice to the Maine Department of Education, giving the state until April 11 to address the compliance issue. The Department of Health and Human Services also recently referred the matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), raising the possibility of further legal scrutiny or sanctions.

This is not the first time USDA has taken funding action in relation to the matter. On March 11, it temporarily paused funding to the University of Maine System (UMS) while reviewing its Title IX compliance. That funding was restored shortly thereafter, with the USDA concluding that UMS was in full compliance with federal requirements.

However, the current dispute centers more heavily on policies at the K–12 level. Advocates of the federal directive argue that competitive fairness and the safety and privacy of female athletes are at stake. Opponents have raised concerns about the rights and well-being of transgender students.

A recent poll conducted by the American Parents Coalition surveyed approximately 600 registered Maine voters and found that 63% supported requiring school sports participation to be based on biological sex. Additionally, 66% of respondents said they believe it is “only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women,” and 60% indicated support for a potential ballot initiative to that effect. The support was highest among parents with children under 18 and politically independent voters.

As of now, Maine’s educational funding from USDA remains under review, and further actions from federal agencies may follow depending on the state’s response in the coming days.

This article was rewritten using one originally posted here: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/trump-admin-freezes-funding-maine-letting-trans-athletes-girls-sports