A federal judge has stepped in to halt the Trump administration’s efforts to freeze federal funding for Maine. U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock Jr. issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, responding to a request from the state. This decision pauses the financial pressure the administration had placed on Maine over its policies regarding transgender athletes in female sports.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had previously frozen funds, claiming that Maine was not in compliance with Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal money. Judge Woodcock’s ruling requires the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins to immediately release any frozen funds to Maine.
The dispute centers on how Maine interprets Title IX in relation to transgender athletes. The White House has argued that allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports violates the intent of the law. This conflict has created divisions among Maine’s political leaders. Republican Senator Susan Collins voiced her support for the federal stance, stating that biological males should not compete in women’s athletics. She emphasized the need for fair competition and adherence to the original intent of Title IX while also advocating for the respectful treatment of transgender individuals.
Maine’s Attorney General, Aaron Frey, welcomed the judge’s order, stating that it confirms the administration did not follow legal procedures when it rescinded funding. The situation highlights the ongoing national debate over transgender rights in sports and the implications for federal funding in states that adopt differing policies.