The Biden era’s approach to transgender policies may be over, but the battle over women's sports is far from settled.
Now, the University of Maine System (UMS) finds itself at the center of a political firestorm after refusing to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order banning biological males from competing in women’s sports. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused all federal funding to the university network as part of a broader federal investigation into potential Title IX and Title VI violations.
This marks the first major enforcement action following Trump’s March 4 address to Congress, where he reaffirmed his commitment to protecting women’s sports and warned that federal funding could be cut off for states and institutions that defy the new administration’s stance. The move sends a clear message to states and universities nationwide: compliance is not optional.
According to a UMS spokesperson, the university system was notified by the USDA that all payments and funding disbursements were being halted while the agency evaluates whether the school is in violation of federal law. The funding pause extends not just to the University of Maine but also to Columbia University, another institution under scrutiny for its policies on transgender athletes.
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, UMS officials attempted to downplay concerns, saying they believe they are in compliance with federal law and NCAA regulations. However, with the USDA having provided over $100 million to the system in recent years—including nearly $30 million in 2024 alone—the financial impact of a prolonged funding freeze could be severe.
Trump’s order initially drew direct opposition from Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat who threatened legal action against the administration if funding was withheld. But the backlash quickly escalated when the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into Maine’s policies, followed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determining that the state had indeed violated Title IX by allowing biological males to compete against female athletes. The Department of Justice has now been referred the case for potential further action.
This controversy took center stage when Republican state Rep. Laurel Libby publicly identified a biological male who won a girls' state pole vault competition at Greely High School.
The backlash led to security being assigned to the school, a censure against Libby by Maine’s Democratic House leadership, and now, a lawsuit filed by Libby against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau to restore her voting and speaking rights.
Meanwhile, the public outrage has only intensified. On Saturday, protesters gathered for a "March Against Mills" rally outside the Maine State House, where female athletes spoke out against the governor’s stance. The following day, eight pro-trans activists protested outside Libby’s home, carrying signs condemning her for "exploiting a child for political gain."