Maine Referred to DOJ Over Defiance of Trump’s Transgender Athlete Ban

The state remains noncompliant with a federal executive order citing Title IX, as local officials uphold state laws protecting gender identity.

The Trump administration has officially referred Maine to the Department of Justice for failing to comply with an executive order banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports.
Maine officials, including the Maine Principals’ Association, maintain that they are bound by the Maine Human Rights Act, which protects gender identity and allows athletes to compete based on their gender identity.
A University of New Hampshire poll found that 64% of Maine residents oppose transgender athletes competing in girls' and women's sports, reflecting significant public opposition to the state's policies.
The controversy gained national attention after a transgender athlete won a girls' pole vault competition at Greely High School, intensifying debates on fairness and inclusion in sports.
Federal agencies have threatened funding cuts and legal action, but Maine Governor Janet Mills and other state officials have not responded to the DOJ referral or federal demands for compliance.