Trump Administration Files Lawsuit to Ban Transgender Athletes from Women's Sports – Washington, April 16

Trump Administration Files Lawsuit to Ban Transgender Athletes from Women's Sports – Washington, April 16

The Trump administration has filed a civil lawsuit against the state of Maine, accusing it of failing to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the development on Wednesday.

Bondi stated, “We believe Maine has failed to protect women. This is not just about sports—it’s about public safety.”

The lawsuit comes at a time when the Trump administration has recently taken steps to withhold federal funding for Maine’s public schools and school lunch programs. In February, a heated meeting between former President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills reportedly involved sharp disagreements over the issue.

At the time, Governor Mills had said, “We will follow the law, sir. See you in court.”

The lawsuit alleges that Maine’s Department of Education violated Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “We’ve given them multiple chances, but they have failed to ensure protection for women in sports.”

On the other hand, Governor Mills released a statement saying, “This was never about women’s sports or their safety. This is about state rights and upholding the rule of law.” She added, “Maine may be the first today, but we won’t be the last. This should be a warning for other states.”

Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Foster informed the U.S. Department of Education on April 11 that Title IX and its regulations do not prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports.

Meanwhile, Riley Gaines, a former NCAA All-American swimmer and well-known anti-trans activist, commented, “It’s unbelievable that we still have to fight this battle. The Democratic Party continues to stand on the wrong side.”

Public opinion is also shifting. A 2022 Pew Research poll showed that 58% of Americans believed transgender athletes should compete based on their sex assigned at birth. By 2025, that number has increased to 66%.

Governor Mills further alleged that, “For the past two months, the federal government has conducted politically motivated investigations that have hurt hungry schoolchildren, fishermen, senior citizens, and new parents.”

For context, NCAA President Charlie Baker previously noted that out of 510,000 college athletes, fewer than 10 are known to be transgender.