A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reinstate federal funds previously allocated to the state of Maine, after they were suspended following a dispute between former President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills regarding the participation of transgender athletes in school sports.
U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock granted a temporary restraining order on Friday in favor of the state. The USDA is one of several federal agencies whose funding to Maine has come under scrutiny. The agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The conflict arose after Trump issued an executive order in February barring transgender students from competing on girls’ sports teams and instructing federal agencies to withdraw funds from educational programs that, according to the order, undermine fair athletic opportunities for women and girls.
In response, the Maine Principals’ Association announced it would continue to allow trans girls to participate in girls’ sports, citing compliance with state law. During a governors’ event at the White House, Trump publicly challenged Mills, who replied that the matter would be settled in court.
Following the exchange, the federal government launched investigations under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. Earlier this month, the USDA joined the matter, informing Mills in an April 2 letter that funding for certain administrative and technological functions in schools would be paused due to what it described as the state’s noncompliance with federal law.
Maine responded by filing a legal complaint, arguing that the USDA had not followed the required statutory and regulatory procedures before suspending the funds. State Attorney General Aaron Frey requested that the court reinstate the aid, emphasizing its role in supporting school meal programs for children.
by: npr.org
