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The Trump administration, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has filed a lawsuit against Maine's education department for not banning transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports. The lawsuit, announced on Wednesday (April 16), claims that Maine is not complying with the federal Title IX antidiscrimination law, which the administration interprets as barring transgender girls from girls' teams.
The legal action follows a series of disputes between the Republican administration and Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills. The administration has threatened to cut off federal funding to Maine, arguing that the state's policies violate President Donald Trump's executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," signed in February. This order mandates that federal agencies ensure compliance with Title IX based on the gender assigned at birth.
During a news conference, Bondi emphasized the administration's commitment to "fight for women," standing alongside former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, a vocal opponent of transgender athletes in women's sports. Gaines, who tied with a transgender athlete in a 2022 NCAA championship, has been active in advocating for the ban, framing it as a women's rights issue.
Maine officials, however, have resisted the administration's demands, arguing that the law does not prevent schools from allowing transgender athletes to participate. Sarah Foster, Maine's assistant attorney general, stated in a letter that nothing in the law prohibits transgender girls from joining girls' teams.
The issue has become a significant political topic, with 26 states already having laws or policies that bar transgender girls from girls' school sports. The Trump administration's stance marks a sharp departure from previous Democratic administrations, which sought to extend civil rights protections to transgender individuals.
The lawsuit is expected to face legal challenges, as Maine and other states continue to defend their policies. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the rights of transgender athletes and the interpretation of federal antidiscrimination laws.