The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Maine, challenging the state’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s and girls’ sports. The legal action, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is being brought under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Attorney General Bondi said the decision to sue was necessary to “preserve fairness, integrity, and equal opportunity for biological female athletes.” The lawsuit claims that Maine’s refusal to enact restrictions on transgender participation directly violates the intent and protections offered by Title IX.

“Title IX was created to ensure a level playing field for women and girls,” Bondi stated. “Allowing biological males to compete in female sports undermines decades of progress and denies young women the chance to compete on equal terms.”

Maine officials have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit, but the state’s existing policies affirm transgender students’ rights to participate in sports in alignment with their gender identity—a stance that has been praised by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and criticized by conservative lawmakers.

The lawsuit underscores the federal administration’s broader push to implement nationwide protections for women’s athletics, aligning with a growing number of states that have passed or proposed legislation to ban transgender athletes from female sports divisions.

As the legal battle unfolds, it is likely to reignite national debate over gender identity, athletic eligibility, and civil rights—particularly as courts across the country grapple with how to balance inclusivity with competitive fairness.