President Trump’s administration has cut off USDA funding to the University of Maine System over the state’s refusal to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports, turning a heated White House exchange into real financial consequences.
Quick Takes
- The USDA has suspended $30 million in funding to eight public colleges in Maine following the state’s refusal to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports
- The action follows a direct confrontation between President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills, who told Trump “We’ll see you in court”
- The Justice Department issued a notice of violation against Maine’s Department of Education for alleged Title IX violations
- A Republican state representative was censured and restricted from voting after refusing to back down on her stance against transgender athletes in women’s sports
Funding Freeze Follows White House Confrontation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended all funding to the University of Maine System in a direct enforcement of President Trump’s executive order concerning transgender athletes in women’s sports. The funding pause affects eight public colleges and impacts approximately $30 million allocated for fiscal year 2024. This decisive action follows a tense exchange between President Trump and Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills during a White House meeting, where the president made his expectations clear about the state’s policy on transgender athletes.
According to official statements, the USDA’s chief financial officer ordered all payments halted while the department evaluates potential civil rights violations. The suspension impacts critical programs including 4-H youth development initiatives, pest management training for Maine farmers, and research supporting the state’s vital lobster industry. University officials maintain their athletic programs comply with all relevant state and federal laws, as well as NCAA policies regarding transgender participation in sports.
Executive Action Meets State Resistance
The funding suspension represents the first major enforcement action under President Trump’s executive order protecting women’s sports. The confrontation between federal and state authorities began when Trump directly warned Governor Mills about the consequences of non-compliance during a White House meeting with governors. The exchange quickly became heated and established clear battle lines in what appears to be developing into a significant legal conflict.
“You better do it because you’re not going to get federal funding,” Trump warned Mills, as he addressed governors during a meeting at the State Dining Room in the White House.
Governor Mills responded defiantly during the exchange, declaring “We’re going to follow the law, sir. We’ll see you in court.” Trump countered with a political prediction, telling Mills to “Enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be an elected official afterwards.” The governor’s office has indicated they are prepared to challenge the administration’s actions, suggesting a protracted legal battle may be forthcoming over states’ rights versus federal funding requirements.
Justice Department Escalates Enforcement
The Department of Justice has intensified pressure on Maine by issuing a formal notice of violation against the state’s Department of Education for alleged Title IX violations. Attorney General Pam Bondi has emphasized the administration’s commitment to enforcing the executive order protecting women’s sports, signaling that Maine’s stance may result in further federal actions beyond the current USDA funding suspension.
“[T]his Department of Justice will defend women and does not tolerate state officials who ignore federal law. We will leverage every legal option necessary to ensure state compliance with federal law and President Trump’s Executive Order protecting women’s sports.” – Source
The controversy has created political ripples throughout Maine’s government. In a related development, Republican state Representative Laurel Libby was censured by Democratic lawmakers over social media posts related to the transgender sports debate. Libby has been restricted from voting or speaking on the floor until she apologizes, but has publicly refused to back down, stating she will “continue to speak up for Maine girls” despite what she characterizes as bullying tactics from Democratic colleagues.
“[B]ullies are pretty predictable. And so, as anticipated, [Maine House] Speaker Ryan Fecteau and the Democrat majority did censure me. And they have declared that I cannot vote or speak on the floor until I apologize. But if there’s one thing that I know about bullies, is you don’t back down. And so, I have no intention of backing down from this fight and will continue to speak up for Maine girls.” – Source
Sources:
- USDA suspends Maine university funding after Trump row over transgender athletes
- Trump Stops Funding to Maine Schools As State Refuses to Comply With Executive Order
