Trump Admin Settles Lawsuit With Maine Over Food Funding Freeze

Trump previously warned Maine governors that if the state continues to allow men to play women’s sports, the funds will be withheld.

The USDA agreed to settle the lawsuit with Maine on May 2nd.

According to terms of the settlement, USDA and its employees cannot withhold Maine funds based on a suspected Title IX violation “without first following all legally necessary procedures.” These requirements include a 30-day delay before consulting meetings and funding.

Instead, Maine will lower the lawsuit within two calendar days.

“It’s a shame my office had to resort to federal courts just to comply with the USDA’s laws and its own regulations,” Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said in a statement.

“But we are pleased that the lawsuit will be resolved and that Maine will receive funds that Congress directs to feed children and vulnerable adults.”

The USDA and the White House have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Funds have been frozen after President Donald Trump said Maine is Violates Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendment. This prohibits discrimination based on gender in schools –By allowing men identifying as women to compete in female sports.

Trump publicly warned Maine Gov. Janet Mills that her state is not complying with the February 5 executive order, “Stops men from women’s sports.”

“You don’t get federal funds, so you’re better off observing,” Trump told Mills in a White House speech addressing the country’s governor on February 21.

“See you in court,” replied Mills.

Both sides did a good thing about their threat: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told Mills on April 2 that they “we are frozen Maine’s federal funds for the specific management and technical functions of the school.”

Frey responded with a lawsuit against the USDA on April 7, with US District Judge John Woodcock Jr. ordered unzen funds four days later.

Woodcock determined on April 11 that it had not followed appropriate legal procedures as Maine did not present Congress with evidence that Title IX had violated before the USDA withholded state funds. He also said that withholding funds for food programs that are unrelated to alleged sports violations were “cutoff” and were procedurally illegal.

Friday’s agreement resolved issues with food funding, but questions about Title IX remain a source of legal friction between Maine and the federal government.

On April 16, Attorney General Pam Bondy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced a civil lawsuit against Maine’s Department of Education, saying that their investigations meant that Maine continues to allow men to play women’s sports.

During the announcement, Bondy read a letter from Frey saying that Maine and the government were “actually at a dead end” on regulations.

“Nothing about Title IX or its enforcement regulations prohibits schools from allowing transgender girls and women to participate in girls and women’s sports teams,” Frey said.

The DOJ stated that Title IX is “civil rights laws that ensure equal protections for women and girls in education and track and field.”