USDA Restores Maine Funding After Trans Athlete Dispute

The Trump administration and Maine have reached an agreement to restore roughly $3 million in federal nutrition funds for schoolchildren and vulnerable adults, ending a legal battle prompted by Maine's refusal to comply with an executive order barring transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports. Maine's attorney general withdrew the state's lawsuit after a federal judge temporarily blocked the funding freeze, with both sides confirming that food assistance would continue as directed by Congress. However, this settlement does not affect ongoing federal lawsuits and administrative actions against Maine, as the Trump administration continues to challenge the state's transgender athlete policies under Title IX. The Education Department's separate proceedings place about $250 million in annual federal school funding for Maine at risk. The dispute began after President Trump threatened to withhold funds during a White House event, intensifying tensions with Maine Governor Janet Mills. Despite the resolution on nutrition funding, the broader legal conflict over transgender participation in school sports is ongoing.