Maine trans athlete battle: State universities agree to comply with Trump
The U.S. Department of Agriculture made a recent announcement that the University of Maine System (UMS) has agreed to adhere to President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. This decision came after a temporary pause in funding from the USDA, which was reinstated shortly thereafter. The USDA now confirms that the UMS is in full compliance with Trump’s executive order.
In response to Maine’s initial reluctance to ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports, the Trump administration took action by initiating a Title IX compliance review. The USDA emphasized the importance of protecting equal opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports, as outlined in President Trump’s Executive Order. The USDA warned of potential financial repercussions for any false claims made by the UMaine.
UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy expressed relief at reaching an understanding with the USDA. He stated that the University of Maine System has always maintained compliance with state and federal laws, as well as NCAA rules. Chancellor Malloy highlighted the importance of leveraging federal funds to support education, research, and extension activities that contribute to Maine’s natural resource economy.
In fiscal year 2024, the USDA awarded $29.78 million in funding to UMS for research. The USDA has provided over $100 million to the UMS in recent years. Additionally, the NCAA revised its gender eligibility policy to prohibit biologically male athletes from competing in women’s sports.
The conflict between the Trump administration and Maine escalated when Trump threatened to cut federal funding to the state if it continued to allow transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Governor Janet Mills responded with a statement threatening legal action against the administration. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into Maine for potential Title IX violations related to transgender athlete participation in girls’ sports.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determined that Maine violated Title IX and issued a warning to comply with Trump’s executive order. OCR acting Director Anthony Archeval emphasized the need to protect female athletes’ rights and ensure girls-only sports without male competitors. HHS indicated potential enforcement of Title IX if Maine does not voluntarily comply with the order.
Overall, the situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athlete participation in sports and the efforts to uphold Title IX regulations. The UMS’s compliance with Trump’s executive order marks a significant development in the controversy.
