A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release federal funds owed to Maine through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reversing a freeze that followed President Donald Trump’s clash with Maine Governor Janet Mills over the rights of transgender student athletes.
U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock granted the state’s request for a temporary restraining order on Friday, mandating the release of funding that had been suspended amid the political standoff. The USDA, one of several federal agencies reportedly involved, declined to comment on the ruling.
The conflict stems from an executive order issued by President Trump in early February, which prohibits transgender girls from participating on girls’ sports teams. The order also directs the federal government to revoke funding from educational institutions that, in its view, deny women and girls fair athletic opportunities.
In response, the Maine Principals’ Association announced it would continue allowing transgender girls to compete in school sports, stating the executive order is inconsistent with Maine’s state laws. The tension escalated during a February 21 governors’ event at the White House, where Trump confronted Mills directly.
“You better do it, because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t,” Trump told Mills.
To which Mills replied, “See you in court.”
Following the exchange, President Trump demanded a formal apology from the Maine governor. “We need a full-throated apology from the Governor herself, and a statement that she will never make such an unlawful challenge to the Federal Government again, before this case can be settled,” he wrote on social media.
The administration has since launched multiple investigations into Maine, citing potential violations of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs. The investigations span several federal departments, including the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The USDA became directly involved on April 2, when Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins informed Governor Mills in a letter that funding for specific administrative and technological school functions would be suspended. Rollins cited Maine’s “defiance of federal law” as justification for the action.
While the precise amount of withheld funding remains unclear, Rollins warned that other education-related and research grants could also be reviewed.
In response, Maine filed a legal complaint on April 7, arguing the USDA failed to follow mandatory statutory and regulatory procedures before halting the funds.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey emphasized the urgency of reinstating the aid, noting that the funds directly support programs that feed schoolchildren throughout the state.
