Key Takeaways:
- President Trump cuts funding to the University of Maine System due to defiance over his executive order on women’s sports.
- Maine Governor Janet Mills vows to fight back, saying, “See you in court.”
- The U.S. Department of Education launches an investigation into Maine’s compliance.
- A petition to remove Governor Mills gains over 29,000 signatures.
- A state lawmaker sues after being punished for speaking out against biological males in girls’ sports.
President Donald Trump has stopped funding for the University of Maine System after Maine Governor Janet Mills refused to follow his executive order. The order aims to protect women’s sports by banning biological males from competing in female categories. This decision has sparked a heated debate and legal challenges in Maine.
Defiance and Funding Cuts
Governor Mills made her opposition clear during a meeting with Trump at the White House on February 21. When Trump warned her to comply with the order, Mills responded boldly, saying, “See you in court.” The president then followed through on his threat, halting federal payments to the University of Maine System.
The funding pause was confirmed in an email sent to the university on March 11. The message stated that payments were being stopped while the Department of Agriculture reviews possible violations of Title VI and Title IX. These laws prohibit discrimination in federally funded programs, including sports.
Federal Investigation Begins
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights also announced it would investigate Maine’s education department. The review focuses on whether the state plans to ignore Trump’s executive order and continue allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports.
Maine’s stance has drawn criticism from some residents. A petition demanding Governor Mills’ removal has collected nearly 30,000 signatures in just one week. The petition argues that Mills is not upholding the state’s interests by defying federal orders.
Public Backlash and Division
The debate over women’s sports has divided Maine. State Representative Laurel Libby is a vocal opponent of allowing biological males in female sports. She recently filed a federal lawsuit against the Maine House Speaker for punishing her after she spoke out on the issue.
Libby’s lawsuit claims she was unfairly censored for highlighting a situation where a biological male student outperformed female competitors in a girls’ pole vaulting event. She argues that girls’ sports should remain fair and competitive for biological females, as protected under federal law.
A Growing National Debate
This conflict reflects a broader national argument about fairness in sports. Supporters of Trump’s executive order believe it’s essential to protect women’s athletics from what they see as unfair competition. On the other hand, opponents argue that the order discriminates against transgender athletes and violates their rights.
As the legal battles and funding disputes continue, Maine has become a focal point in this ongoing debate. Whether the state will comply with Trump’s order or continue to resist remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the consequences of this fight could impact schools, athletes, and taxpayers across the state.
For now, the University of Maine System is left in limbo, waiting to see if federal funding will resume. The situation serves as a reminder of how deeply divided the country is on issues involving sports, gender, and fairness.