The Trump administration has reached a settlement with Maine, agreeing not to freeze funds for the state’s schools in a victory following a dispute over transgender rights support. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will cease efforts to withhold funds for a child nutrition program in Maine, which had been suspended due to the state’s refusal to comply with President Trump’s demands to bar transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports.

Maine Governor Janet Mills had defiantly responded to the president’s threats by stating, “We’ll see you in court,” leading to the state suing the USDA to maintain its funding. The settlement, disclosed recently, sees Maine dropping its lawsuit in exchange for the restoration of funds, with Governor Mills expressing satisfaction at the outcome.

The agreement specifies that the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will refrain from interfering with Maine’s access to USDA funds based on alleged Title IX violations without following required procedures. The Trump administration had argued that Maine’s transgender sports policy breached Title IX, but Maine’s attorneys countered, highlighting the significant financial impact on programs feeding thousands of children in the state.

Following a federal judge’s order to unfreeze funds, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey expressed relief that the lawsuit had been resolved, ensuring continued funding for essential programs. Although the settlement does not impact another lawsuit concerning trans athletes, Governor Mills remains confident in the state’s stance on defending states’ rights against what she termed as bullying tactics.

Overall, the resolution marks a significant win for Maine in safeguarding its funding and standing up for its policies amid federal challenges related to transgender rights in sports.