
USDA settles with Maine over funds and transgender athletes
"We are pleased that the lawsuit has now been resolved and that Maine will continue to receive funds as directed by Congress to feed children and vulnerable adults," Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, a Democrat, said in a statement.
USDA did not respond to a request for comment.
The settlement does not affect the Trump administration's decision to sue Maine over allegations that it is violating Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs, or the U.S. Department of Education's decision to launch an administrative proceeding to cut off all federal education funding for Maine's public schools.
The U.S. departments of Education and Justice claim that Maine is violating Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' and women's sports.
The Education Department proceeding puts about $250 million Maine receives annually for school funding into jeopardy. The funding at issue with USDA was a smaller sum, about $3 million.
Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills clashed with the Republican president over the issue of transgender athletes during a White House event in February.
At a February 21 meeting with governors, Trump threatened to withhold funds from Maine if it did not comply with an executive order he signed banning transgender athletes from playing girls' and women's sports.
"We're going to follow the law, sir," Mills responded. "We'll see you in court."
USDA was the first agency to actually cut funding to Maine. But U.S. District Judge John Woodcock on April 11 concluded it likely did not comply with legal procedures when it froze funding and declared Maine was violating Title IX.
Rather than litigate over whether a longer-term injunction should be issued, USDA agreed to not freeze or terminate the state's access to federal funds going forward without following all legally required procedures.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Prime Minister to visit Canada for trade and security talks
The Times reported that the pair will meet on June 14, ahead of the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta, against the backdrop of growing concerns about Donald Trump's trade war against its northern neighbour and repeated threats to annex Canada. Mr Trump has repeatedly suggested turning Canada into its 51st state and imposed tariffs that led to retaliation from Ottawa. The Canadian prime minister made the trip to Washington DC last month in a bid to ease tensions, but was dealt a blow last week when the US president doubled tariffs on steel imports. Only the UK was spared from the White House's tariff hike, thanks to a deal struck between the two countries. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office (Evan Vucci/AP) Levies will remain at 25% for imports from the UK, however Britain could still be subject to the higher 50% rate from July. Sir Keir Starmer's trade pact with the US, struck last month, included relief on the steel and aluminium tariffs, but the implementation is yet to be finalised. The Prime Minister's trip follows a royal visit by the King, who warned Canada is facing a 'critical moment' in its history, with the world a 'more dangerous and uncertain place' in a speech to open the nation's parliament. Charles delivered an address written by the Canadian government that said Mr Carney's administration would bond with 'reliable trading partners and allies', a move that follows Mr Trump's economic tactics. Many Canadians have seen the King's two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation that has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump. Charles told the parliament 'self-determination' was among a number of values Canada held dear and the government was 'determined to protect'.


Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Prime Minister to visit Canada for trade and security talks
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Canada later this week to meet Mark Carney for talks on security and economic partnerships. The Times reported that the pair will meet on June 14, ahead of the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta, against the backdrop of growing concerns about Donald Trump's trade war against its northern neighbour and repeated threats to annex Canada. Mr Trump has repeatedly suggested turning Canada into its 51st state and imposed tariffs that led to retaliation from Ottawa. The Canadian prime minister made the trip to Washington DC last month in a bid to ease tensions, but was dealt a blow last week when the US president doubled tariffs on steel imports. Only the UK was spared from the White House's tariff hike, thanks to a deal struck between the two countries. Levies will remain at 25% for imports from the UK, however Britain could still be subject to the higher 50% rate from July. Sir Keir Starmer's trade pact with the US, struck last month, included relief on the steel and aluminium tariffs, but the implementation is yet to be finalised. The Prime Minister's trip follows a royal visit by the King, who warned Canada is facing a 'critical moment' in its history, with the world a 'more dangerous and uncertain place' in a speech to open the nation's parliament. Charles delivered an address written by the Canadian government that said Mr Carney's administration would bond with 'reliable trading partners and allies', a move that follows Mr Trump's economic tactics. Many Canadians have seen the King's two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation that has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump. Charles told the parliament 'self-determination' was among a number of values Canada held dear and the government was 'determined to protect'.


North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Prime Minister to visit Canada for trade and security talks
The Times reported that the pair will meet on June 14, ahead of the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta, against the backdrop of growing concerns about Donald Trump's trade war against its northern neighbour and repeated threats to annex Canada. Mr Trump has repeatedly suggested turning Canada into its 51st state and imposed tariffs that led to retaliation from Ottawa. The Canadian prime minister made the trip to Washington DC last month in a bid to ease tensions, but was dealt a blow last week when the US president doubled tariffs on steel imports. Only the UK was spared from the White House's tariff hike, thanks to a deal struck between the two countries. Levies will remain at 25% for imports from the UK, however Britain could still be subject to the higher 50% rate from July. Sir Keir Starmer's trade pact with the US, struck last month, included relief on the steel and aluminium tariffs, but the implementation is yet to be finalised. The Prime Minister's trip follows a royal visit by the King, who warned Canada is facing a 'critical moment' in its history, with the world a 'more dangerous and uncertain place' in a speech to open the nation's parliament. Charles delivered an address written by the Canadian government that said Mr Carney's administration would bond with 'reliable trading partners and allies', a move that follows Mr Trump's economic tactics. Many Canadians have seen the King's two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation that has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump. Charles told the parliament 'self-determination' was among a number of values Canada held dear and the government was 'determined to protect'.