The University of Maine in Orono, Maine.Getty Images

As President Donald Trump issued his executive order, The University of Maine System (UMS) declared full compliance with federal policy restrictions that bar transgender female athletes from female sports. The university system faced charges of Title IX violation from the Trump administration, which led to a suspension of federal funding before obtaining confirmation of compliance.

Title IX Investigation and Compliance

During its Title IX investigation, the Trump administration investigated whether UMS maintained proper adherence to the anti-sex discrimination law. University officials maintained that their decision to allow trans women participation in female sports activities breached Title IX laws, which protect cisgender female athletes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture placed twenty-nine million federal dollars for UMS on hold while reviewing the situation. The university system received its funding back because it complied with the executive order and ensured order changes had been adequately incorporated into its updated policies.

The executive order issued by Trump about transgender athletes in sports.

Trump announced an executive ordering February 2025 that banned transgender female athletes from female athletic competitions because he saw their participation as both patronizing and risky, and “unfair.”. Under this directive, every institution dependent on federal funding must enforce athletic regulations, excluding competitors assigned females at birth from women’s sports.

The University Management System implements policies that meet state and federal legal frameworks and NCAA sports regulations recently updated according to the administration’s instructions.

Political and Social Reactions

Controversy across the nation arose following this decision because proponents of transgender rights call it discriminatory against trans athletes while damaging sports inclusivity. Proponents of this order defend that it safeguards fair competition for women in athletics.

The UMS Chancellor,r Dannel Malloy, declared that relief follows the Title IX compliance resolution, but the university system will continue upholding student equity through the established legal framework.

Such policy developments at UMS reflect federal funding compliance standards adjustments at numerous U.S. universities. Other educational facilities must prepare for possible federal oversight of their transgender athlete policies because enforcement of the executive order remains active.

The NCAA’s fresh regulations regarding gender-based competition terms caused a substantial evolution in college athletics, which diminishes transgender athlete participation at the university level.