WASHINGTON, D.C. — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal civil lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education, accusing the state of violating Title IX by allowing biologically male athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.
Bondi said the lawsuit follows multiple notices and attempts to resolve the matter administratively. She claimed Maine repeatedly ignored federal warnings about alleged violations of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
“We have exhausted every other remedy, Maine would not comply,” Bondi said at a press briefing. “They are failing to protect women. Boys are allowed to enter girls’ dressing rooms and change clothes in front of these young women. We have no other choice, we are taking them to court.”
The lawsuit stems in part from two specific events in February 2024: a biologically male athlete who placed first in a girls’ 5K cross-country race — a time that would have ranked 43rd in the boys’ division — and another who won the girls’ pole vault event. Federal officials argue that allowing male-born athletes in girls’ competitions displaces female athletes and violates their civil rights under Title IX.
The legal complaint seeks an injunction to prevent further participation of transgender athletes in female sports in Maine and to revoke titles previously awarded to male-born competitors. The DOJ is also considering retroactively pulling federal funding as a punitive measure.
Maine refuses federal resolution
Despite repeated communications, Maine officials declined to comply. The state attorney general told the Department of Education that Maine would not sign a federal resolution agreement and contended that Title IX does not prohibit schools from allowing transgender girls and women to compete on girls’ teams.
“They must not be reading the same Title IX we’re reading,” Bondi said.
Governor Janet Mills, when asked by President Donald Trump about the infractions, reportedly responded, “We’ll see you in court.”
The Department of Justice has take strong and swift action against the state of Maine for violating Title IX and jeopardizing women’s rights.
- On February 25, Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a letter to Maine Governor Janet Mills warning the state to comply with federal antidiscrimination laws that require men to be kept out of women’s sports.
○ Similar letters were also sent to officials in California and Minnesota. - On April 4, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education announced the creation of the Title IX Special Investigations Team to ensure timely, consistent resolutions to protect students, especially female athletes, from the effects of gender ideology in school programs and activities.
- On April 7, the U.S. Department of Justice pulled more than $1.5 million in federal grants from Maine’s Department of Corrections.
- A convicted double murderer named Andrew Balcer—a 6’1”, 245 pound man—is in a women’s correctional facility because he decided to identify as a woman. Balcer murdered both of his parents and the family dog.
- Today’s civil lawsuit against Maine is in direct response to the state’s failure to comply with federal law.
- The Department will continue to use every legal tool available to remedy these violations and protect women’s civil rights.
- Examples cited in complaint:
■ In February 2025, a biological male won first place in pole vault at Maine’s Indoor Track and Field meet. He beat every female by a significant margin, qualifying him for regional championships – taking a spot from a female athlete.
■ In February 2024, a biological male started competing in female ski and cross country races in Maine. He placed first in the women’s 5k with a time that would have ranked 43rd among men.
Key Points
- DOJ filed a civil suit against Maine for alleged Title IX violations in school sports.
- The lawsuit follows transgender athletes winning in girls’ events, displacing female athletes.
- Maine refused a resolution; DOJ now seeks an injunction and funding penalties.
The lawsuit marks one of the most aggressive federal actions to date on transgender participation in school athletics under the Trump administration’s renewed Title IX enforcement.
