The U.S. Department of Justice has taken legal action against the state of Maine for what it describes as a deliberate refusal to comply with federal Title IX regulations. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the civil lawsuit Wednesday, criticizing Maine’s leadership for policies that, according to the DOJ, force girls to compete against biological males in sports events designated exclusively for females.
Bondi explained that the Trump administration had repeatedly tried to resolve the dispute with Maine officials prior to taking legal steps. “We have no other choice, we are taking them to court,” Bondi stated, highlighting frustration with the state’s ongoing resistance to federal law.
NEW: @AGPamBondi announces a civil lawsuit against Maine for refusing to protect women and women’s sports and spaces. pic.twitter.com/6q0jtXkJwO
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) April 16, 2025
Bondi was joined by Maine state lawmaker Rep. Laurel Libby, former collegiate swimmer and female rights advocate Riley Gaines, fencer Stephanie Turner, and numerous female athletes from Maine. Together, they called attention to the impact these policies have on girls and women seeking fair competition and recognition for their athletic achievements.
The DOJ lawsuit argues that the Maine Department of Education has “openly and defiantly” ignored anti-discrimination laws, particularly by enforcing policies that allow biological males to participate in girls’ sporting events. The suit seeks to halt these practices and calls for females who lost opportunities or awards to biological males to receive their deserved recognition.
During the announcement, Bondi cited specific examples, such as a male athlete taking first place in the girls’ pole vaulting state final and another male winning a female ski and cross-country race, despite their results placing them far lower if competing against males. The DOJ also referenced a case in which a convicted male murderer who identifies as female was placed in a women’s correctional facility in Maine, raising further concerns about state policy.
a case of FAFO: pic.twitter.com/fYRF6El4Kg
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) April 16, 2025
Riley Gaines, who spoke at the press conference, praised President Trump for what she described as restoring accountability to the White House, reiterating the administration’s support for women’s sports protections.
The standoff between Maine and the federal government intensified earlier this year when Democratic Governor Janet Mills refused to enforce a Trump administration order barring males from participating in girls’ sports, arguing her state’s laws took precedence. This prompted investigations and several findings of Title IX violations.
The broader debate around Title IX and transgender participation in women’s sports continues to spark controversy nationwide. The DOJ’s legal action against Maine could set a precedent for future federal-state conflicts on the issue. The state of Maine faces the prospect of not only having to reverse its policies but also returning federal funds received during its period of noncompliance.
