US takes state to court over transgender athletes

The US government has sued the state of Maine over its refusal to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order from February banning biological male transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.

The order directs federal agencies to cut funding to institutions that do not comply.

The lawsuit, filed by the Justice Department and announced on Wednesday by Attorney General Pam Bondi, accuses Maine of violating Title IX, the federal civil rights law that bars sex-based discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funds.

“The state of Maine is discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women’s sports,” Bondi told reporters.

The suit cites two cases in which biological male transgender athletes won girls’ competitions – including a pole vaulter who won the state indoor track and field state championships in February, according to the outlet.

Bondi also pointed out that it is not just a sports issue but public safety issue. According to her, male athletes are allowed in women’s bathrooms and dressing rooms. She also noted that women athletes have been injured by transgender athletes in competition.

“Some of these young women have endured vicious injuries too, as a result of boys playing in their sports,” she said.

Asked whether it was worth using department’s resources to sue Maine over just two athletes, Bondi said, “I don’t care if it’s one. I don’t care if it’s two. I don’t care if it’s 100.” She added the department is also examining similar cases in other states, such as Minnesota and California.

The legal action marks the latest escalation in a public feud between the Trump administration and Maine’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills.

In February, Trump confronted Mills during televised remarks at a gathering of governors at the White House. He asked whether she intended to comply with his order and warned she could lose all federal funding. Mills replied, “See you in court.”

Responding to the lawsuit on Wednesday, Mills called it “an expected salvo in an unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine.” She said the decision to cut federal school funding last week was “unlawful” and vowed to “vigorously defend” the state.

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has issued numerous executive orders, including a ban on biological men participating in women’s sports, a reinstatement of the prohibition of trans individuals from military service, and a rollback of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies introduced by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

The administration’s approach to transgender athletes has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and LGBTQ advocates. Supporters of the policy, meanwhile, argue it protects fairness in women’s sports.