Maine Sent to DOJ For Harm To Girls

Maine Referred to DOJ Over Refusal to Ban Trans-Identified Male Athletes in Girls’ Sports

By Marie O’Nealle

Augusta, Maine — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has formally referred the State of Maine to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for enforcement action after the Mills administration and key education officials refused to comply with federal directives prohibiting biologically male athletes from participating in female sports.

This referral stems from Maine’s decision to uphold its state-level anti-discrimination laws, which allow transgender students to compete in sports aligned with their gender identity. Governor Janet Mills, in direct defiance of a 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, has maintained that the state's policies are in accordance with the Maine Human Rights Act. Mills previously responded to Trump’s directive by telling him, "See you in court."

The dispute escalated following a federal investigation into Greely High School and the Maine Principals’ Association. According to HHS, Maine’s policies violate Title IX by allowing male-born athletes to participate in girls’ athletic programs. The state was given a ten-day deadline to amend its policies, which officials allowed to lapse without agreement or concession.

A case that has drawn significant attention involves a biologically male athlete who, after consistently placing outside the top five in boys' competitions, declared a female identity and subsequently took first place in a girls' race. This decision effectively denied a female competitor her rightful victory, further fueling arguments against allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports. Critics argue that such incidents highlight the fundamental unfairness of policies that prioritize gender identity over biological sex in competitive athletics.

Now, the matter is in the hands of the DOJ, which may pursue legal action that could put federal funding for Maine’s public education system at risk.

Governor Mills, addressing the issue at a press briefing, reiterated her stance: “Maine will not discriminate against students for living in accordance with who they are. We stand by our values and our laws.”

The conflict underscores a growing national divide over transgender participation in sports, with federal authorities under Trump moving to enforce stricter sex-based categorizations in school athletics, while states like Maine continue to resist such mandates in favor of inclusive policies.

Democrats are facing increasing backlash over their unwavering support for transgender ideology, a stance that has alienated many women who feel their rights and protections are being eroded. Mills’ support for allowing boys to play on girls’ teams exemplifies the party’s broader position, which has contributed to a significant loss of female voter support. The DOJ has not yet announced what enforcement action it will take, but legal analysts expect a drawn-out court battle that could have implications for how Title IX is interpreted across the country.