President Trump's executive order on transgender athletes sparks legal showdown with Maine Governor: “See you in court”
President Trump's executive order mandating athletes compete based on birth-assigned sex has ignited a legal battle with Maine Governor Janet Mills, who vows to challenge the policy, potentially risking $250 million in federal education funding.
In a recent White House meeting, President Donald Trump and Maine's Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, engaged in a heated exchange over the administration's policies concerning transgender athletes. The confrontation highlights the escalating national debate on transgender participation in sports and sets the stage for potential legal battles between state and federal authorities.
The dispute centers around an executive order issued by President Trump, which mandates that athletes participate in sports teams corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. Governor Mills' refusal to comply with this directive has prompted the administration to initiate investigations that could jeopardize federal funding for Maine's educational institutions.
Janet Mills awaiting court ruling on Trump's ballot eligibility. Photo: Bangor Daily News.
Trump and Maine Governor clash over transgender athlete policy
The ongoing national discourse on transgender rights in sports reached a critical point when President Donald Trump and Governor Janet Mills of Maine confronted each other during a recent governors' meeting at the White House. The focal point of their dispute is President Trump's executive order, signed on February 5, 2025, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which requires that athletes compete on teams aligning with their sex assigned at birth. This policy effectively prohibits transgender women from participating in women's sports at federally funded institutions.
During the meeting, President Trump directly questioned Governor Mills about Maine's stance on the order, asking, "Are you not going to comply with it?" Governor Mills responded, "I'm complying with state and federal laws." Unsatisfied with this answer, President Trump retorted, "We are the federal law." He further warned that non-compliance could result in the withdrawal of federal funding, stating, "You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't." Governor Mills remained resolute, replying, "I'll see you in court." The President concluded, "Good. I'll see you in court."
Federal investigation launched as Maine defies transgender sports order
In the aftermath of this exchange, the Trump administration has initiated an investigation into Maine's policies regarding transgender athletes. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is examining whether Maine's practices violate Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. This investigation could potentially place approximately $250 million in federal education funding for Maine at risk.
Governor Mills has expressed her intention to challenge the executive order legally, emphasizing her commitment to upholding both state and federal laws. She has stated that any attempt to withhold federal funding from Maine's educational institutions will be met with legal action to restore those funds. Public opinion on this issue appears to support restrictions on transgender athletes' participation in women's sports. A New York Times/Ipsos survey conducted in January 2025 revealed that 79% of Americans oppose allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports. Notably, 67% of Democrats and 94% of Republicans surveyed shared this feeling.
