US sues state over transgender athletes
Maine is at risk of losing federal school funding due to its stance on allowing biological males to compete in women's sports. The U.S. government has initiated a lawsuit against Maine for not adhering to President Donald Trump’s February executive...
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Maine is at risk of losing federal school funding due to its stance on allowing biological males to compete in women's sports.
The U.S. government has initiated a lawsuit against Maine for not adhering to President Donald Trump’s February executive order, which prohibits biological male transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports.
The order mandates federal agencies to withdraw funding from institutions that do not comply.
The lawsuit, brought forth by the Justice Department and announced on Wednesday by Attorney General Pam Bondi, claims that Maine has violated Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions benefiting from federal funding.
“The state of Maine is discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women’s sports,” Bondi stated during a press conference.
The lawsuit references two instances in which biological male transgender athletes triumphed in girls’ competitions, including a pole vaulter who secured a victory at the state indoor track and field championships in February.
Bondi emphasized that the issue extends beyond sports and raises concerns about public safety. She asserted that male athletes have access to women’s bathrooms and dressing rooms, and mentioned that female athletes have sustained injuries due to competing against transgender athletes.
“Some of these young women have endured vicious injuries too, as a result of boys playing in their sports,” she remarked.
When questioned about whether it was worthwhile to pursue the lawsuit over just two athletes, Bondi responded, “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 that the department is also looking into similar situations in other states, including Minnesota and California.
This legal action represents a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Maine’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills.
In a February incident, Trump confronted Mills during televised remarks at a governors' gathering hosted at the White House, asking her whether she would comply with his order and warning that she risked losing federal funding. Mills responded, “See you in court.”
Addressing the lawsuit on Wednesday, Mills called it “an expected salvo in an unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine.” She described the move to cut federal school funding as “unlawful” and pledged to “vigorously defend” the state.
Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has enacted several executive orders, including the one banning biological men from competing in women’s sports, reinstating the prohibition of transgender individuals from military service, and rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in federal agencies that had been established by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
The administration’s stance on transgender athletes has faced backlash from civil rights organizations and LGBTQ advocates, while supporters of the policy assert that it upholds fairness in women’s sports.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
The U.S. government has initiated a lawsuit against Maine for not adhering to President Donald Trump’s February executive order, which prohibits biological male transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports.
The order mandates federal agencies to withdraw funding from institutions that do not comply.
The lawsuit, brought forth by the Justice Department and announced on Wednesday by Attorney General Pam Bondi, claims that Maine has violated Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions benefiting from federal funding.
“The state of Maine is discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women’s sports,” Bondi stated during a press conference.
The lawsuit references two instances in which biological male transgender athletes triumphed in girls’ competitions, including a pole vaulter who secured a victory at the state indoor track and field championships in February.
Bondi emphasized that the issue extends beyond sports and raises concerns about public safety. She asserted that male athletes have access to women’s bathrooms and dressing rooms, and mentioned that female athletes have sustained injuries due to competing against transgender athletes.
“Some of these young women have endured vicious injuries too, as a result of boys playing in their sports,” she remarked.
When questioned about whether it was worthwhile to pursue the lawsuit over just two athletes, Bondi responded, “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 that the department is also looking into similar situations in other states, including Minnesota and California.
This legal action represents a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Maine’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills.
In a February incident, Trump confronted Mills during televised remarks at a governors' gathering hosted at the White House, asking her whether she would comply with his order and warning that she risked losing federal funding. Mills responded, “See you in court.”
Addressing the lawsuit on Wednesday, Mills called it “an expected salvo in an unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine.” She described the move to cut federal school funding as “unlawful” and pledged to “vigorously defend” the state.
Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has enacted several executive orders, including the one banning biological men from competing in women’s sports, reinstating the prohibition of transgender individuals from military service, and rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in federal agencies that had been established by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
The administration’s stance on transgender athletes has faced backlash from civil rights organizations and LGBTQ advocates, while supporters of the policy assert that it upholds fairness in women’s sports.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
