The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that the University of Maine System has agreed to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to keep transgender athletes out of women’s sports. This decision came after the UMS was temporarily paused in funding from the USDA last week due to an ongoing dispute between the state and federal government over trans inclusion in women’s and girls’ sports. The funding was reinstated soon after, with the USDA now stating that the UMS is in full compliance with Trump’s executive order.
UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy provided a statement expressing relief at coming to an agreement with the USDA. The system has always maintained compliance with state and federal laws, as well as NCAA rules, as affirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the USDA awarded $29.78 million in funding to UMS for research. The USDA has provided over $100 million to the UMS in recent years, according to a letter addressed to the system. The NCAA has also amended its gender eligibility policy to prevent any athlete born biologically male from competing in women’s sports.
The dispute between Maine and the federal government began when Trump threatened to cut funding to the state if it continued to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports. Governor Janet Mills responded by threatening legal action against the Trump administration if federal funding was withheld. After a public argument between Trump and Mills at the White House, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into the state for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports and potential Title IX violations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has already determined that the state and its Department of Education violated Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to compete.
The USDA’s announcement of the UMS compliance with Trump’s executive order comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated a Title IX compliance review regarding federal funding. UMS has communicated its compliance with Title IX’s requirement to protect equal opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warned that any false claims by UMS could result in financial liability. The dispute between Maine and the federal government has brought attention to the issue of transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports, with calls to protect the rights of female athletes. HHS has stated that if Maine does not comply voluntarily with Title IX, they will enforce it to the fullest extent permitted by law.
