Trump administration suing Maine over transgender athletes in girls sports

WASHINGTON (WABI) - The Department of Justice is suing Maine over allegations the state is in violation of Title IX, the law that prohibits sex-based discrimination at schools that receive federal funding.

It’s the latest chapter in the ongoing disagreement between the Trump and Mills administrations over the state’s policy regarding transgender athletes.

Maine allows transgender female athletes to participate in girls’ high school sports, citing the Maine Human Rights Act.

That law upholds the right to freedom from discrimination based, in part, on gender identity.

In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in an attempt to ban transgender female athletes of all ages from competing on girls’ and women’s sports teams.

He later clashed with Gov. Janet Mills during a well-publicized event at the White House over Maine’s non-compliance with the executive action.

Wednesday morning, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the latest legal action.

“The State of Maine is discriminating against woman by failing to protect women in women’s sports, pretty basic stuff. This is a violation of Title IX, the Department of Justice will no sit by when women are discriminated against in sports. This is about sports, this is also about young women’s personal safety. I have met many of these women through the past weeks and months and what they have been through is horrific,” said Bondi.

Republican State Rep. Laurel Libby of Auburn, who posted unblurred images of a transgender athlete on her social media earlier this year, spoke at the press conference.

“Governor Mills, legislative democrats, along with Maine Principals Association continued to persist and discriminating against Maine women and girls. They’re out of alignment with two-thirds of Mainers who believe biological males have no place in girls sports. Earlier this week, MSAD 70 school board voted unanimously to align with Title IX. They’re in align with two-thirds of my fellow Mainers and I would encourage other school boards throughout Maine, I would resort you, speak up for Maine girls similarly and vote to align with Title IX. Thank you to the Trump administration and AG Bondi for taking action kin behalf of our girls and helping to ensure a safe, fair, and level playing field in Maine,” said Libby.

Maine high school athletes also appeared alongside Bondi during the press conference, speaking about the way state policies have impacted them.

Presque Isle High School senior Cassidy Carlisle shared her experiences facing transgender athletes in competition.

“My first experience was when I was 13 years old. I was going to change for gym and there was a biological man there. From that point on, in my junior year I competed in Nordic skiing and lost to a biological male numerous times. I am fighting this fight for generations to come, the fact that our governor can look the women of our state in the eyes and say I’m not going to fight for you is heartbreaking and it’s betrayal like Riley said. I just want to thank all these women standing behind me and President Trump for fighting for us. Because even though my own governor isn’t fighting for me, I know there are people out there fighting for me,” said Carlisle.

Lawrence High School senior Zoe Hutchins also spoke.

“I had to watch at the Maine Class B State Indoor Track Championship as my close friend and my teammate and other female competitors lost the state championship to a biological male... It is the job of our elected officials to protect our young female athletes and they have failed to do that. We walk into sports expecting to have a level playing field, and to walk into the state championship to see a biological male there, and lose to a biological male, that is betrayal,” Hutchins said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said at the press conference that the department had no other choice to but to turn the State over to the Justice Department.

“President Trump didn’t pull any punches. He explicitly warned Maine and Governor Janet Mills that Maine would risk losing federal funding if it continued to allow males to participate in women’s sports. Governor Mills chose to openly flout Title IX compliance, telling President Trump, and I’ll repeat what the governor said, We’ll see you in court, and obviously we are going to,” McMahon said.

Mills responded to the lawsuit Wednesday morning. In a statement, she said:

“This matter has never been about school sports or the protection of women and girls, as has been claimed, it is about states rights and defending the rule of law against a federal government bent on imposing its will, instead of upholding the law.”

“For nearly two months, Maine has endured recriminations from the Federal government that have targeted hungry school kids, hardworking fishermen, senior citizens, new parents, and countless Maine people.”

“We have been subject to politically motivated investigations that opened and closed without discussion, leaving little doubt that their outcomes were predetermined.”

“Let today serve as warning to all states: Maine might be among the first to draw the ire of the Federal government in this way, but we will not be the last.”

“My Administration and Maine’s Attorney General will vigorously defend our state against the action announced today from the Department of Justice.”

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey also released a statement Wednesday, saying in part:

"After being targeted by the Trump administration for months, today’s announcement is no surprise. Ultimately, this matter is about the protections afforded by Title IX and the Maine Human Rights Act. We are confident Maine is acting in accordance with those laws. Our position is further bolstered by the complete lack of any legal citation supporting the Administration’s position in its own complaint."

You can read his full statement here.