The Trump administration’s important federal funding for Maine’s baby diet programs, which had been suspended as a result of a social conflict over transgender athlete participation in school activities, was ordered by a federal judge to end.
On Friday, US district court judge John Woodcock concurred with Maine’s state leaders who claimed that withholding the money was wrong and had harmed children. He issued a temporary blocking purchase.
The conflict began when the Trump administration moved to punish Maine for failing to enact an executive order preventing transgender athletes from playing for girls ‘ sports teams, citing alleged violations of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education, according to news agency AP.
The cost of the additional$ 3 million in July for summertime meal reimbursements is covered by the question’s money, which is more than$ 1.8 million for the current fiscal year.
More than$ 900,000 from previous year grants are also impenetrable as a result of the thaw, according to court filings cited by AP.
The lawsuit, brought by Maine solicitor general Aaron Frey, claimed that the department of agriculture had followed legal instructions before halting the funding. Frey emphasized in the complaint that” this is aid used to feed schoolchildren,” according to NPR. com.
Following a White House meeting on February 21, US President Trump demanded that government Janet Mills abide by his executive order. Trump responded,” You’d better agree… Normally, you’re not getting any federal funding,” to which Mills responded,” See you in judge,” according to reports organization Reuters.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a notice in an April 2 email on the USDA’s decision to thaw funding days after, warning that the state’s “defiance of national law” may cause administrative school funding to be halted.
However, the education ministry sent Maine to the Justice Department for police action after it was informed that it intended to withdraw$ 250 million in K-12 training resources.
But, judge Woodcock’s ruling does not immediately resolve the larger Title IX debate but ensures that important nutrition funding is restored while constitutional arguments are ongoing. He acknowledged the court’s politically charged setting, but he also stressed the importance of safeguarding children’s service.
The state’s 2021 law expressly prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, according to Maine’s education officials, who are still assertive in their positions. Sarah Forster, the assistant attorney general, previously told the education ministry that Title IX does not forbid trans athletes from playing on women ‘ teams.
