The Department of Education’s civil rights division has announced that it is initiating Title IX investigations into Maine’s Department of Education following allegations of violations related to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has sent a letter to the Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin, stating that OCR is launching a directed investigation into the Maine Department of Education (MDOE). The investigation is in response to claims that MDOE is allowing male athletes to compete in girls’ interscholastic athletics and denying female athletes access to female-only intimate facilities, which could be in violation of federal antidiscrimination law.
Additionally, OCR is also investigating Maine School Administrative District #51 (MSAD #51) over reports that Greely High School, a school under its jurisdiction, is permitting at least one male student to compete in girls’ categories.
President Trump’s executive order asserts that educational institutions receiving Federal funds must not deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports under Title IX regulations.
This development follows a contentious exchange between Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and President Trump, where Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine if the state does not comply with his executive order. Gov. Mills responded defiantly, stating, “See you in court.”
