Judge Orders Federal Government to Unfreeze Funds Withheld From Maine Over Transgender Athletes
SUMMARY
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. ordered the Department of Agriculture to unfreeze about $3 million withheld from Maine, citing its refusal to follow Trump’s January 20 executive order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism.” The 70-page ruling forced Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to release funds frozen on April 2, used for school meals, childcare, and disabled adults’ programs. Woodcock also barred future freezes without proper legal steps, slamming the USDA for skipping protocols. The judge stayed neutral on the transgender athlete debate, saying the call wasn’t about Title IX but procedure. Maine’s lawsuit, filed April 7 by Attorney General Aaron Frey, argued the freeze was illegal. Rollins claimed it didn’t hit direct feeding programs, but Frey hailed the win, saying it protects kids and vulnerable Mainers. Tensions flared after a February 21 White House clash where Gov. Janet Mills defied Trump’s push to ban male athletes in girls’ sports.
