USDA Launches Compliance Review of University of Maine Amid Controversy Over Transgender Athletes

In a striking move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Saturday that it would initiate a compliance review of the University of Maine. This decision follows allegations that the state of Maine has ignored President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14201, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The order aims to prevent transgender athletes from competing against biological women in sports.

Tense Exchange Sparks Investigations

This review comes on the heels of investigations launched by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. These inquiries were triggered by a fiery exchange between President Trump and Democratic Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, regarding the participation of transgender student-athletes in women’s sports. During a bipartisan meeting of governors at the White House on Thursday, tensions flared when President Trump directly confronted Mills over her state’s stance.

“President Trump has made it abundantly clear: taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars will not support institutions that discriminate against women,” stated U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in a release shared with Fox News Digital. She asserted that the USDA would uphold the president’s executive order, warning that any institution that chooses to disregard it risks losing future funding.

University of Maine’s Federal Funding at Stake

According to the USDA, the University of Maine currently receives over 0 million in federal funding, which places it in a precarious position should the compliance review ultimately result in sanctions. The tension escalated significantly at the meeting, culminating in President Trump’s threat to cut federal funding to Maine unless it complied with the executive order.

“Are you not going to comply with that?” Trump asked Mills during the exchange. To which Mills replied, “I’m complying with state and federal laws.” Trump retorted, “Well, we are the federal law. You better do it. You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.”

Maine Governor’s Defiant Response

Faced with Trump’s ultimatum, Mills responded defiantly, “We’ll see you in court.” This exchange underscores the broader national debate surrounding transgender participation in sports, where many states have taken differing stances.

Despite the pressure, Mills stood firm in her commitment to protect the rights of transgender athletes. Her administration quickly released a statement following the meeting, emphasizing that Maine would not be intimidated by what she described as threats from the President.

“If the President attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of Federal funding, my Administration and the Attorney General will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides,” Mills stated. This declaration signifies her readiness to take a stand, underscoring a larger struggle over federally mandated policies versus state rights.

Federal Investigations Underway

The aftermath of the White House confrontation saw the Department of Education announce it was launching a directed investigation into Maine’s Department of Education. The federal agency’s Office for Civil Rights sent a letter to Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin, outlining allegations that the state continues to allow male athletes to compete in girls’ sports and that female athletes were being denied access to female-only intimate facilities.

This investigation is a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over Title IX, the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs and activities, including athletics. The Trump administration’s interpretation of this law underlines the complexities involved in issues of gender identity and athletic competition.

Trump’s Continued Criticism of Maine’s Stance

In subsequent remarks, President Trump reiterated his position against taxpayer funding of states that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. “I heard men are still playing in Maine,” he stated at a gathering of Republican governors. “I hate to tell you this, but we’re not going to give them any federal money. They are still saying, ‘We want men to play in women’s sports,’ and I cannot believe that they’re doing that. … So, we’re not going to give them any federal funding, none whatsoever, until they clean that up.”

Even during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, Trump scrutinized Maine’s leadership, asserting that the Governor is “fighting to keep men in women’s sports.” He projected a vivid image of the consequences of such policies, warning, “Did you ever see what happens to a woman when a woman boxes? A man who transitioned to womanhood? Did you ever see what happens? … It’s not pretty.”

Public Reaction and Legal Prospects

The ongoing dispute continues to generate discussion on both sides of the political aisle. As the controversy intensifies, opinions are sharply divided on the rights of transgender athletes versus protecting women’s sports. Advocates for transgender rights argue that inclusion is paramount, while opponents cite fairness and competitive integrity as key issues.

The situation is further complicated by the looming threat of legal battles over federal funding, with both sides poised for possible court confrontations. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ comments about the USDA’s commitment could foreshadow a contentious relationship moving forward, particularly if funding is cut or if either party pursues legal action.

As developments continue, the outcome of the USDA’s compliance review and the state of Maine’s legal stance will be closely monitored, not only for the implications on the university and its athletics programs but also for the broader national conversation surrounding gender and sports in America.

Fox News Digital has reached out to both the White House and the University of Maine for further comment regarding this evolving situation.