The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine, contesting its policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports. This announcement was made by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday.

Allegations of Title IX Violations

The lawsuit claims that Maine’s current approach disregards Title IX, the federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational settings, including athletic programs. The DOJ argues that the state’s policies compel girls to compete against boys in competitions designated solely for female athletes.

“By prioritizing gender identity over biological reality, Maine’s policies deprive girl athletes of fair competition, deny them equal athletic opportunities, and expose them to heightened risks of physical injury and psychological harm,” the lawsuit states.

Support for the Lawsuit

During the announcement, Attorney General Bondi was joined by Riley Gaines, a noted anti-trans activist, along with several parents and students from Maine who have expressed their concerns regarding the state’s transgender athletes policy.

“The Department of Justice will not sit by when women are discriminated against in sports. This is about sports. This is also about these young women’s personal safety,” Bondi stated, reflecting on the testimonies she had received from those impacted.

Political Context and Future Actions

This lawsuit represents the first of what may be a sequence of legal challenges initiated by the Trump administration. Bondi had previously issued warning letters to officials in states including Maine, California, and Minnesota, urging them to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws that prohibit allowing biological males in women’s sports.

Maine’s Response and Leadership Stance

Maine’s Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, has criticized the Trump administration’s actions, describing them as an overreach of executive power aimed at stripping away federal funding from the state. Mills downplayed the significance of the issue, noting, “Because there are two, maybe two, trans athletes competing in Maine schools right now, they decided to shut off funding for the school nutrition program, the school lunch program, entirely.” She emphasized that withholding funds over state policies is not permissible under the law.