In a bold move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made his stance clear on transgender athletes. Trump’s administration has firmly stated that transgender athletes are not allowed to compete in college women’s sports. When the state of Maine tried to take a different route, Trump quickly stepped in and forced them to comply.
Recently, Maine’s University System (UMS), which includes eight public universities, was at the center of this issue. The universities claimed they were already following rules set by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to keep transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. These rules were updated by the NCAA on February 6. UMS also said they had been following all state and federal laws.
However, despite their claims, the Trump administration decided to pause $175 million in federal funding for the university system. This funding comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The pause was a way to ensure Maine would stick to Trump’s executive order, which strictly bans trans athletes from women’s sports.
After a short time, the USDA confirmed that Maine is now fully following Trump’s order. The funding was quickly restored.
What the USDA Said
In a public statement, the USDA made it clear:
“The University of Maine System (UMaine) has clearly communicated its compliance with Title IX’s requirement to protect equal opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports, as articulated in President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order,” the statement read.
The USDA also warned that any false claims from UMaine about following the rules could lead to serious legal and financial troubles:
“Any false claim by the UMaine can, and will, result in heavy penalties and even possible criminal financial liability,” they added.
Relief from University Leaders
UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy shared his thoughts after the funding was restored. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Malloy expressed relief that the situation had been resolved:
“The University of Maine System has always followed state and federal laws, along with NCAA rules. The USDA’s announcement today confirms this,” Malloy said.
He also added:
“We are relieved to put this Title IX review behind us. Now, we can continue working with the USDA and other federal agencies to support our natural resource economy and rural communities through world-class education and research.”
Why Was the Funding Paused?
The $175 million funding pause was part of a broader clash between the Trump administration and certain states over the participation of transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports. Trump’s executive order strictly bans transgender athletes from competing in female categories, saying it is necessary to ensure fair play and equal opportunities for women and girls.
Maine initially appeared to resist or interpret the policy differently, which triggered the USDA to temporarily stop the funding. Only after Maine clearly communicated their compliance was the funding reinstated.
What’s Next?
This case highlights how the Trump administration is taking strong actions to enforce their policy across all states. Any state or institution found violating or ignoring the executive order may face serious financial consequences.
UMS has now set an example for other states and universities, making it clear that they have to follow federal guidelines or risk losing valuable federal funding.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping oxur content honest and reliable for our readers.