The Trump administration has decided to pause federal funding to the University of Maine System (UMS) due to the state’s stance on women’s sports. This move comes after the state refused to comply with an executive order aimed at restricting transgender athletes from competing in women’s athletics.
The UMS, which includes eight public colleges in Maine, serves nearly 30,000 students. Recently, President Trump signed an executive order that changes federal Title IX rules, threatening to cut funds to schools that allow transgender athletes to compete as females. This order also directs the Department of Homeland Security to deny visas to foreign transgender athletes seeking to compete in the U.S.
Maine has openly opposed this executive order, leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to evaluate potential violations of Title IX and Title VI at the universities. An email from the USDA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer confirmed that all payments and funding releases to UMS will be temporarily halted while the department reviews the situation.
A spokesperson for UMS stated that the universities comply with both state and federal laws and are members of the NCAA. In 2024, the USDA had allocated nearly $29.78 million to the UMS, making this funding pause significant.
Public opinion seems to lean heavily against allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. A recent poll found that 79% of Americans believe transgender athletes should not participate in women’s athletics, indicating a growing concern on this issue.
As the USDA reviews its position, the future of federal funding for the University of Maine System remains uncertain.