The White House on Wednesday warned Maine about potential consequences after the state has been digging its heels in over allowing males to compete in girls’ sports.
Earlier this week, the Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights determined that the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School were in violation of Title IX by allowing males in women’s sports.
The Maine Principals’ Association hit back, however, arguing its position was in compliance with state law.
"The alleged violation is due to MPA’s policy which is a direct result of the Maine Human Rights Acts mandate that athletes be allowed to participate on the teams which align with their gender identity,” the group said. “MPA’s policy is consistent with Maine State Law.”
That response did not sit well with the administration. OCR acting director Anthony Archeval told Fox News Digital what HHS is asking of the three entities “is simple—protect female athletes’ rights.”
"Girls deserve girls-only sports without male competitors. And if Maine won’t come to the table to voluntarily comply with Title IX, HHS will enforce Title IX to the fullest extent permitted by the law," Archeval added.
Maine's refusal to comply with President Trump's executive order on transgender athletes came to the forefront after state Rep. Laurel Libby highlighted how a male won a girls' pole vault competition for Greely High School last month.
Sharing the latest development, Libby warned her state its defiance will come at a great cost.
Not only is it unfair to allow biological males to dominate girls in sports, but now we stand to lose HUNDREDS of millions of federal funding for Maine students.
— Rep. Laurel Libby (@laurel_libby) March 20, 2025
Do the right thing, @GovJanetMills, Maine Democrat majority, and Maine Principals Association!
— Rep. Laurel Libby (@laurel_libby) March 20, 2025
Ensure Maine girls a fair, safe, and level playing field!
In the March 17 announcement, HHS said the three entities have 10 days to resolve the issue in a signed agreement or risk referral to the Justice Department.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member