**US Government Takes Legal Action Against Maine Over Transgender Athlete Ban**

The US government is suing Maine for its refusal to enforce a ban on transgender athletes in women's sports, marking a significant legal and political battle.

The Trump administration has launched a lawsuit against the state of Maine over its decision not to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. This legal action intensifies an ongoing conflict between the state’s governor, Janet Mills, and former President Donald Trump, who has previously threatened to withdraw educational funding from Maine amidst this dispute.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the Justice Department would protect women against discrimination in sports, stating, "This is also about these young women's personal safety." In contrast, Governor Mills argued that the issue extends beyond sports and criticized the federal government for imposing its policies on states, saying the dispute is not truly about the protection of women and girls.

At the heart of the issue is Title IX, a civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs. Trump had signed an executive order in February directing that the law should be interpreted to exclude transgender females from competing in women's sports. The federal lawsuit claims that the Maine Department of Education is infringing upon this law.

In a press conference, Pam Bondi indicated that the administration is contemplating withdrawing federal funding previously allocated to Maine's educational sector for noncompliance. The lawsuit follows a series of actions from the Trump administration aimed at reversing policies regarding transgender individuals that were established during Biden's presidency.

During a recent meeting of U.S. governors, a heated exchange took place between Trump and Mills, where Trump threatened to cut federal funding if she did not align Maine's policies with his executive orders. Mills, unyielding, responded defiantly, "We'll see you in court."

As the state continues to grapple with the repercussions of this legal battle, Mills pointed out, "For nearly two months, Maine has endured recriminations from the federal government that have targeted hungry school kids, hardworking fishermen, senior citizens, new parents, and countless Maine people." She highlights a political motivation behind these actions, suggesting their outcomes seemed predetermined.

Currently, in Maine, only two transgender athletes are reported competing in school sports, representing less than 1% of individuals over 13 years old in the U.S. who identify as transgender, according to a study from the UCLA Williams Institute.

This lawsuit further reflects the broader nationwide struggles surrounding the rights and inclusion of transgender individuals in various sectors, including sports.