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At a White House event on Friday, President Trump clashed with Maine’s Democratic governor over the state’s opposition to an executive order banning transgender student-athletes from participating on girls’ sports teams.
The order, signed by Trump earlier this month, directs the federal government to withhold funding from educational programs that “deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities.” Following the order, the NCAA revised its policy on transgender athletes, restricting participation in women’s sports to individuals assigned female at birth.
However, the Maine Principals’ Association, which oversees school sports in the state, announced it would continue allowing trans girls to compete, citing a conflict between the federal directive and state law.
During a Friday governors’ event, President Trump questioned Maine Gov. Janet Mills about whether the state would comply with his executive order. Mills responded that she would follow “state and federal law.”
“We are the federal law,” Trump replied. “You better do it, or you won’t receive federal funding.”
Mills fired back, “See you in court.”
“Good, I’ll see you in court,” Trump responded. “I look forward to that. It should be an easy win. And enjoy your life after governor—I don’t think you’ll stay in elected politics.”
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Following the exchange, Gov. Mills issued a statement declaring, “If the President attempts to unilaterally strip Maine’s school children of the benefits of federal funding, my administration and the Attorney General will pursue all appropriate and necessary legal actions to restore that funding and the educational opportunities it supports. The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President’s threats.”
The Trump administration contends that Title IX, the law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, mandates the government to “take all appropriate action to actively safeguard all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms.”
In 2024, the administration of then-President Joe Biden implemented rules interpreting Title IX to include protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, a federal judge struck down those rules in January. On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order declaring that the U.S. would recognize only biological sex.
Now, students in New Hampshire are challenging Trump’s order.
