Judge Orders Federal Government to Unfreeze Funds Withheld From Maine Over Transgender Athletes

The federal government is ordered to release money held back over the state’s decision to let transgender athletes compete in girls’ sports.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills stands as President Donald Trump speaks during a business session with governors in town for the National Governors Association's annual winter meeting, at the White House on Feb. 21, 2025. Leah Millis/Reuters

A U.S. District Court in Maine issued a ruling on April 11 ordering the federal government to release funding to Maine that was frozen over the state’s decision to disregard an executive order and allow transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Conflict between the state and federal government began after President Donald Trump issued the order, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” on his first day back in the White House for a second term.