Maine Caves To Trump Weeks After Governor Threatened Lawsuit At White House

The University of Maine System (UMaine) has officially reversed course and agreed to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order barring biological males from participating in women’s sports. The move comes just weeks after Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills vowed to challenge the order in court and following a heated exchange between her and Trump at the White House.

In a press release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that UMaine assured federal officials it would adhere to Title IX’s requirement of maintaining separate sports categories based on biological sex. The decision ensures that the university system remains eligible for federal funding, which had been temporarily halted pending the compliance review.

“Any false claim by the UMaine can, and will, result in onerous and even potentially criminal financial liability,” the statement read. The reversal follows a high-profile battle between the Trump administration and Maine’s state leadership.

The standoff began after Trump signed an executive order shortly after taking office, requiring federally funded schools to define sex-based athletics strictly on biological grounds. Mills initially pushed back, threatening a legal challenge if the administration moved to cut federal funding for Maine’s universities.

Maine Democratic Governor Janet Mills

However, the threat of losing millions in federal dollars appears to have changed the calculus for UMaine. On February 26, UMaine responded to USDA inquiries by stating that it does not allow biological males to participate in women’s sports and that no such athletes were currently competing in its programs.

The confirmation effectively removed UMaine from further federal scrutiny, allowing the flow of USDA funds to continue uninterrupted. Trump had made it clear that institutions defying his executive order would face financial consequences. During a February meeting with governors, he warned that Maine’s defiance would result in a funding freeze.

Mills fired back, declaring, “We’ll see you in court.”

The feud escalated during a bipartisan governors’ meeting at the White House, where Trump directly confronted Mills, saying, “You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t. And by the way, your population, even though it’s somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, your population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports.”

Mills reiterated her legal threat, to which Trump responded, “That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after governor because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

Shortly after the exchange, the U.S. Department of Education announced a separate investigation into Maine’s compliance with Title IX, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services referred the state to the Department of Justice for potential violations.

In 2024 alone, the USDA provided UMaine with nearly $30 million in funding, with the total surpassing $100 million over the last several years. The pause in funding, combined with pressure from federal agencies, forced UMaine to officially confirm its compliance.

Compounding matters, the NCAA also adjusted its gender eligibility policy, prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports. With the national governing body aligning with Trump’s stance, Maine’s resistance appeared increasingly untenable.

Mills’ capitulation marks a significant political setback, especially given her initial defiance and public commitment to challenging Trump’s policy. The governor, who has championed LGBTQ+ rights throughout her tenure, now finds herself in a weakened position after backing down in the face of federal consequences.

Trump’s administration has framed the outcome as a victory for fairness in women’s sports, with the USDA stating, “UMaine’s decision to side with sanity is a win for women and girls in Maine.” The administration has also signaled that it will continue enforcing Title IX protections against institutions that attempt to defy federal law.