President Donald Trump’s administration is making good on a threat to stop funding going to universities in Maine amid the state’s continued refusal to comply with his order barring trans-identifying males from competing in women’s sports.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused funding to schools within the University of Maine System (UMS) while potential Title VI and Title IX violations are investigated. The pause impacts eight public colleges within UMS, and a spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the affected schools have been notified.
According to the spokesperson, the email notice from the USDA read in part, “This pause is temporary in nature while USDA evaluates if it should take any follow-on actions related to prospective Title VI or Title IX violations. Please take any necessary actions to effectuate this direction from leadership. This pause will remain in effect until further notice.”
The spokesperson also stated that the schools impacted were not aware of any Title VI or Title IX violations, but was reserving judgment until “further analysis is completed.”
President Trump warned during a White House event in late February that he would cut funding to Maine schools if the state continued to allow trans-identifying males to compete on girls’ and women’s sports teams.
The following day, Governor Janet Mills (D-ME) threatened to take legal action against the Trump administration if he did so — after which Trump called Mills out directly during a bipartisan Governors Working Session.
“Is Maine here? The governor of Maine? Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump asked.
“I’ll comply with state and federal law,” Governor Janet Mills said.
“We are the federal law. You better do it. Because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t,” Trump warned. “And by the way, your population, even though it is somewhat liberal although I did very well there. Your population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports. You better comply because otherwise you’re not getting any federal funding.”
Mills pushed back, saying, “We’ll see you in court.”
