Overview

• Maine officials, including the Department of Education, Principals’ Association, and Greely High School, declined to sign a federal agreement banning transgender athletes from girls' sports by the March 27 deadline.
• The Trump administration is expected to escalate the matter to the Department of Justice, with Attorney General Pam Bondi threatening legal action against Maine for non-compliance.
• Governor Janet Mills reaffirmed her commitment to challenging the federal directive in court, framing the issue as a defense of state sovereignty and Maine's anti-discrimination laws.
• The refusal risks $250 million in federal education funding, which supports programs like school lunches and special education, as the federal government considers withholding funds.
• Public opinion in Maine shows significant support for restricting girls’ sports to biological females, but there is also notable opposition to the potential loss of federal funding.