Maine wins major court victory about trans rights against president

[Jessica_Rose]

Maine wins major court victory about trans rights against president

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/05/maine-wins-major-court-victory-about-trans-rights-against-president/

By Daniel Villarreal (5 May 2025)

In February, the president began publicly criticizing Maine's trans-inclusive sports policies, pledging to revoke its federal educational funding unless it banned trans students from participating in school sports. In response, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) accused the president of attempting to "unilaterally deprive Maine school children" ...

Days later, Mills opposed the president in person at a White House governors meeting. When he asked for her by name and once again pledged to cut off federal funding, Mills said that her state was following state and federal laws. The president then declared, "We are the federal law... You better do it." Mills replied, "See you in court."

The following day, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) began a "compliance review" of the University of Maine's policies on trans athletes, pledging to revoke its federal land grant. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins then sent a letter to Mills, stating the USDA would freezing state's funding until all state schools complied with the president's order.

In April, a federal judge ordered the administration to unfreeze the funds, finding that Maine was likely to succeed in its legal challenge.

"I told him I'd see him in court," Mills said. "Well, we did see him in court, and we won.... It's the congress that makes the law, not the president... These bullying tactics, we will not tolerate them.... I am confident when we see him in court, we will win time and time again."