Trump’s Office Of Civil Rights Targets Maine For Defying Trump’s Order On Women’s Sports

The Trump administration’s Office for Civil Rights, part of the Health and Human Services Department, revealed they issued a notice of violation against the Maine Department of Education for violating federal Title IX regulations.

In a letter from the OCR to Democratic Maine governor Janet Mills, the OCR noted that the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) is the governing body for youth sports in the state.

“Mike Burnham, the executive director of the MPA stated, ‘The executive order [President Trump’s Executive Order 14201] and our Maine state Human Rights Act are in conflict, and the Maine Principal’s [sic] Association will continue to follow state law as it pertains to gender identity,'” the letter pointed out.

Then the letter delineated two cases where Maine permitted boys to compete in girls’ sports:

On February 17, 2025, it was reported that Greely High, a public high school in the state of Maine, violated Title IX through the participation of a male athlete in a women’s high school track meet. On February 18-19, 2025, it was reported that Maine Coast Waldorf, a public high school in the state of Maine, violated Title IX through the participation of a male athlete in a women’s high school ski event.

The letter continued, ‘Under its leadership, MDOE is responsible for interscholastic and extracurricular activities in the state of Maine, which includes ensuring that the youth sports programs in the state’s public schools comply with federal nondiscrimination law. … Based on the MPA’s policy of allowing male athletes to compete against female athletes, OCR has determined that MDOE is in violation of federal law under Title IX.”

Here is the full letter: pic.twitter.com/eEzuyR6T23

— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) March 6, 2025

In late February, Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Maine that it had to comply with federal law banning boys from girls’ sports.

“This Department of Justice will defend women and does not tolerate state officials who ignore federal law,” Bondi said. “We will leverage every legal option necessary to ensure state compliance with federal law and President Trump’s Executive Order protecting women’s sports.”

Bondi’s warning followed a confrontation at the White House between President Trump and Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills. “Is Maine here? The governor of Maine? Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump asked Mills.

“I’ll comply with state and federal law,” Mills replied.

“We are the federal law,” Trump declared. “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 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.”

“We’ll see you in court,” Mills said defiantly.

“Good, I’ll see you in court,” Trump fired back. “I look forward to that, that should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”