The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) paused funding to the University of Maine System (UMS) in response to the network’s refusal to keep biological men out of women’s sports in compliance with President Trump’s executive order.
The pause comes as the USDA is assessing Title IX and Title VI violations. The USDA previously awarded millions of dollars to the university system for research.
In 2024, the USDA awarded $29.78 million to the university system for research projects. More than $100 million has been granted to UMS in recent years, the USDA noted.
“An email forwarded to the University of Maine that appears to have originated from the USDA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer directs the department’s ‘awarding agencies and staff offices to temporarily no longer issue any payments or authorize any other releases of funding to Columbia University or the University of Maine System,'” a USDA spokesperson told Fox News. “The message goes on to state, ‘This pause is temporary in nature while USDA evaluates if it should take any follow-on actions related to prospective Title VI or Title IX violations. Please take any necessary actions to effectuate this direction from leadership. This pause will remain in effect until further notice.'”
Maine has also moved to push for transgender athlete inclusion in high school sports. The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), the primary governing body for high school athletics in the state, announced in February that it would continue to allow transgender athletes to participate in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The effort was grounded in Maine’s Human Rights Act.
