USDA Halts Funding to University of Maine Over Transgender Athlete Policy Dispute

The funding freeze follows a clash between President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills regarding compliance with a federal executive order on transgender athletes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has temporarily paused millions in funding to the University of Maine System, citing potential Title VI and Title IX violations.
The decision follows a public confrontation between President Trump and Governor Janet Mills, who refused to comply with an executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.
The University of Maine System, which received approximately $30 million in USDA funding last year, says it is in compliance with federal and state laws as well as NCAA policies.
The funding freeze affects critical research and programs, including agricultural studies, youth education, and sustainability projects vital to Maine's economy.
Critics, including Maine officials and civil rights advocates, have labeled the move as politically motivated, emphasizing its potential harm to farmers, students, and rural communities.