Showdown in Maine: Trump Admin Freezes University Funding Over Transgender Sports Policy

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has temporarily frozen funding to the University of Maine System (UMS) in response to the state’s refusal to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

The decision follows Trump’s warning in a March 4 address to Congress, where he reaffirmed his commitment to penalizing states that continue to allow trans athletes to compete in female sports categories. Now, his administration has acted on that pledge, igniting a high-stakes political and legal battle.

A UMS spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that the university system had been notified of the funding pause, which affects millions in federal research grants.

A Political and Legal Firestorm

According to a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, an email from the USDA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer directed all awarding agencies to “temporarily no longer issue any payments or authorize any other releases of funding” to the University of Maine System and Columbia University.

The freeze comes as the USDA conducts an investigation into potential Title IX and Title VI violations, reviewing whether Maine’s policy of allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports conflicts with federal protections.

While UMS insists it is in compliance with state and federal law and follows NCAA guidelines, the funding halt leaves the university in a precarious position.

In fiscal year 2024 alone, the USDA awarded UMS nearly $30 million in research funding, with over $100 million funneled into the system in recent years.

Maine Governor Defies Trump, Threatens Legal Action

Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills has fiercely opposed Trump’s directive, vowing to take legal action if federal funds are withheld.

Her defiance led to a heated public exchange with the president at a White House meeting in February, during which Trump directly warned Mills that noncompliance would come at a cost.

Shortly after that confrontation, the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into Maine’s policies, while the Department of Health and Human Services formally determined the state was in violation of Title IX protections.

The matter has now been escalated to the U.S. Department of Justice, potentially setting the stage for a legal showdown between the federal government and Maine’s leadership.

Backlash and Rising Tensions in Maine

The controversy has sparked protests on both sides of the debate.

Over the weekend, Republican state Rep. Laurel Libby led a “March Against Mills” at the Maine State House, where female athletes spoke out against the governor’s policies.

Meanwhile, pro-trans activists demonstrated outside Libby’s home, condemning her outspoken opposition to transgender participation in girls’ sports.

The issue initially gained national attention when Libby called out a biologically male athlete who won a girls’ state pole vaulting competition for Greely High School. The backlash was swift, with the Maine House of Representatives censuring Libby for her remarks. She has since filed a lawsuit against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, arguing that her free speech rights were violated.

What’s Next?

As the USDA funding freeze remains in place, UMS officials say they are awaiting further guidance and conducting internal reviews to assess potential next steps.

Meanwhile, Trump’s administration appears to be doubling down, with the NCAA recently revising its gender eligibility rules to prohibit biological males from competing in women’s sports.

With legal battles looming and political tensions at an all-time high, the fight over transgender athletes in women’s sports is far from over.