Trump Administration Backs Down on Maine’s School Meal Funding Amid Anti-Trans Sports Dispute
The Trump administration has retreated in its efforts to cut off funding for Maine’s school meal programs, following a federal court’s intervention. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed to restore millions in nutrition funding, abandoning its strategy to punish the state for its inclusive policy towards transgender athletes. This settlement comes after a legal clash between Maine Governor Janet Mills and President Trump over compliance with an executive order aimed at banning transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports.
In a March confrontation at the White House, Mills stood firm against Trump’s ultimatum and boldly declared, “We’ll see you in court.” Recently, she celebrated a court victory: “We did see him in court—and we won.” The USDA had previously frozen over $3 million crucial for feeding more than 170,000 children and vulnerable adults in Maine, alleging that the state’s policies violated Title IX. However, a federal judge found that the USDA likely breached legal protocols, prompting the agency to back down.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey expressed relief at the lawsuit’s resolution, emphasizing that the state would continue receiving vital funding as intended by Congress. Despite this victory, the Trump administration is continuing its campaign against Maine, now pursuing separate litigation that threatens to retract $250 million in broader education funding.
Civil rights advocates are concerned that this ongoing legal battle reflects a wider agenda aimed at undermining protections for transgender students nationwide. Trump’s February executive order—dubbed “No Men in Women’s Sports”—seeks to enforce bans on transgender participation in female sports categories across educational institutions, based on unfounded claims of unfair competition.
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