USDA Suspends Funding for University of Maine Amid Transgender Athlete Dispute

The University of Maine has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended funding for its research and programs due to a clash between President Donald Trump and Governor Janet Mills over the state's refusal to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports.

Funding Suspension Impact

The USDA's chief financial officer ordered the University of Maine to pause all payments while evaluating possible civil rights violations at the school. In FY 2024, the university received $30 million in funding from the USDA. The suspension of funding will have a significant impact on various programs and initiatives supported by these funds.

Presidential Intervention and Legal Dispute

On February 21, President Trump and Governor Mills engaged in a heated argument regarding the president's executive order to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports. The president allegedly warned, "You better do it because you're not going to get federal funding," to which Mills responded, "We're going to follow the law, sir. We'll see you in court." This legal dispute has now escalated into a suspension of federal funding for the university.

The USDA launched an investigation to determine if the University of Maine was violating federal law prohibiting sex discrimination. In response, the university clarified its adherence to state and federal laws, as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association's policy barring varsity athletes assigned male at birth from competing in women's sports. Despite its compliance efforts, the USDA has suspended funding amidst the investigation.

The USDA funding plays a crucial role in supporting programs at the University of Maine, including 4-H, a social and educational youth program, pest management training for farmers, and research to ensure the sustainability of Maine's lobster industry, among others. The suspension of funding will directly impact these important initiatives and the communities they serve.