The White House, through its press secretary Karoline Leavitt, issued a firm warning to sports teams that do not comply with the federal ban on biological males competing in women’s competitions. Leavitt stated that those who violate this order could face legal proceedings, lawsuits, or even the loss of federal funding, in accordance with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The conflict escalated with the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the state of Maine, after its governor, Janet Mills, refused to enforce the regulation banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced the legal action, accused the state of violating Title IX and jeopardizing the fairness, physical safety, and psychological well-being of female athletes.
The federal lawsuit against Maine and its political and legal impact
The complaint from the Department of Justice argues that by prioritizing gender identity over biology, Maine is harming female athletes by preventing them from competing under fair conditions. One of the cases cited involves a transgender student who won a girls’ cross-country race with a time that would have only placed 43rd in the boys’ category. Riley Gaines, a former college swimmer and outspoken critic of trans participation in women’s sports, joined the announcement of the lawsuit as a sign of growing support for the measures pushed by the White House.
In response to the federal pressure, Governor Mills defended her state’s autonomy, calling the lawsuit part of a political campaign to impose the will of the central government. She stated that the case is not about protecting women, but about upholding the rule of law. The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), meanwhile, has reiterated that it will continue to follow state legislation regarding gender identity, despite the Trump administration’s previous attempt to block education and agricultural funding for Maine. A court has temporarily suspended this action, but the conflict continues to intensify.
