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A Feb. 17 Facebook post has become a catalyst for political history in Maine. And it could soon be the topic of Supreme Court testimony. 

That day, state Rep. Laurel Libby used the social media site to identify an athlete who had just rocked a high school track meet. The athlete took first place in girls' pole vault Maine State Class B Championship, propelling Greely High School to a girls' state title. 

It was already big local news, as the Portland Press Herald published a recap the same day Libby made the post, which also identified the athlete by name. 

But Libby's post pointed out that the athlete finished fifth in a boys' competition, just two years earlier. 

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"I had been talking with a mom, friend of mine, who has had a child in track in Maine for a long, long time," Libby told Fox News Digital. 

"She told me there was a biological male who was probably going to win the girls' state-wide pole vault championship, and sure enough, he did… I looked at the image of the second-place girls, and that's who should have been in first place." 

The post went viral and thrust Maine, Greely High School and the athlete into the bull's-eye of the national trans athlete debate. 

Libby said no one from the school or the athlete's family ever reached out to her about the post. 

"I never heard from them or the school," Libby said. Fox News Digital has reached out to Greely High School for comment. 

The first person Libby says she heard from that took issue with her post was Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, who she is now suing for censuring her over the post.

"He found it objectionable and asked me to take it down, at the same time I asked him if he would support Maine girls, and support policy that stopped discrimination against Maine young women in sports and he declined to answer," Libby said. 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

"The main criticism all along from the Democrats is that it was a picture of a minor." 

Fecteau's office has provided documents to Fox News Digital confirming the conversation took place. 

"I am asking you to take the post down," Fecteau wrote in a letter to Libby on Feb. 18. "In addition to risking the young person's safety, your post violates one of the long held political traditions of ‘leaving kids out of it’ — a tradition that has even been observed by political pundits with regard to the treatment of kids who are in the White House, the most scrutinized office in the nation."

Libby said families of other students at Greely High School have reached out to her as the issue has progressed. 

"[They] have encouraged me because they don't agree with biological males participating in girls' sports, and given their relationship with the school, they can't say that publicly," Libby said. "We've seen this become a big talking point in the Greely, Cumberland area."

A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that about 63% of Maine voters said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed it’s "only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women."

Greely's District, MSAD #51, has previously provided a statement in support of its eligibility policies. 

"The MSAD #51 Board of Directors is guided by the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of our district. This includes promoting a safe, caring and ethical learning environment where each person will be treated with respect and fairness; and individuals are recognized, valued and supported," the district said in a statement. 

Libby's post came during a holiday week off. When students returned the following week, they were greeted by police protection in response to the national scrutiny Libby's posts drew to the school. 

"I think law enforcement exorcised an abundance of caution, and thankfully there was no risk to the students," Libby said. 

MAINE 'MAGA' PARENT SILENCED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DURING SPEECH OPPOSING TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS' SPORTS

Now, two and a half months later, the state is in a conflict with the federal government over the issue of trans athletes in girls' sports, while Libby is making a case for Supreme Court intervention in her lawsuit against Fecteau. 

Fecteau and Maine's Democrat majority censured Libby for the post on Feb. 25, and originally offered to restore her voting and speaking rights if she apologized for the post. But Libby told them right away she wouldn't apologize. 

"The real reason I was censured is in political retaliation for pointing out a policy that most Mainers do not agree with," Libby said. 

Instead, she filed her lawsuit against Fecteau on March 11.

But Rhode Island U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose ruled against Libby in her case on April 22. DuBose, appointed by former President Joe Biden in January, ended up presiding over the case after every district judge in Maine refused to take it.

Judges John C. Nivison, John A. Woodcock, Lance E. Walker, Karen F. Wolf, Stacey D. Neumann and Nancy Torresen signed recusal orders shortly after the case was initially filed. No reason was given.

DuBose ended up with the case, and ruled in favor of Fecteau. Then, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled against Libby.

This past Monday, Libby announced she would appeal to the Supreme Court for emergency intervention. 

"We haven't fully had our day in court yet, I look forward to continuing that process," Libby said when asked if she believes she's had a fair trial.

Libby says she expects to hear if the Supreme Court will hear the case by Monday, May 5. 

MAINE DEMOCRATS TRYING TO AMEND STATE CONSTITUTION TO CODIFY ALLOWING TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS' SPORTS

So far, the state representative has visibly had the federal government on her side, especially President Donald Trump's administration. 

The U.S. Justice Department announced a lawsuit against the state of Maine for its continued defiance of Trump’s executive order to keep biological males out of girls’ and women’s sports and violations of Title IX. Libby attended the press conference alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. 

The Department of Agriculture cut federal funding to the state, which then sued the administration. A federal judge has already ruled the funding must be unfrozen. 

Internally, many Mainers have already taken steps to align themselves with Libby and Trump's side on the issue. There have been two large-scale protests in the state's capital of Augusta, and one school district in the state, MSAD #70, is already moving to institute its own policy to ban trans athletes from girls' sports. 

Now, Libby's SCOTUS appeal will come as the tension between the state and Trump intensifies. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt referenced "prosecutions" as a consequence for violating federal law while discussing the administration's intentions on the issue.

"When Maine decided not to follow [Trump's executive order], the Department of Justice sued them. So anyone who disobeys federal law will be prosecuted, sued, or say ‘goodbye’ to your federal funding," Leavitt told reporters at a press conference Monday. 

Libby did not rule out prosecution as a warranted response if her state continues to defy Trump on the issue. 

"We've seen so much occur in the last two months, that we certainly can't rule anything out," Libby said when asked about potential prosecution to officials in her state. 

"I hope that it wouldn't come to that. I would hope we can all agree that our young women shouldn't be discriminated against." 

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Colorado football head coach and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders sent a cryptic X post on Wednesday. 

Sanders' post comes just days after his son Shedeur shockingly fell to the 144th pick in the NFL Draft, in one of the most unprecedented slides in recent history. However, his post did not directly reference that topic. 

"I can do better, I know better, I was taught better, I've seen better and I'm definitely better! I'm also thankful for another opportunity to do what I'm blessed to do and I won't take it for granted. Lord Create in me a pure heart and renew the right spirit within me," Sanders wrote. 

NFL AGENT BREAKS DOWN TRUMP'S IMPACT IN SHEDEUR SANDERS SAGA

Sanders' post echoes a consistently Christian theme that the family has exuded throughout the situation. 

Shedeur himself thanked God in social media posts several times, from Thursday to Saturday, including two X posts that went live just minutes apart – before and after he was chosen by the Browns. 

Deion Sanders Jr. made five X posts citing Bible verses dating back to Thursday, and was frequently re-sharing them as his brother fell in the draft. 

Meanwhile, the father has turned to religion in previous difficult chapters in his life. 

Deion has said he devoted himself to Christianity shortly after his first divorce from ex-wife Carolyn Chambers in 1998. Sanders opened up about the experience during an interview on "Running Wild" with Bear Grylls in November 2023.

SHEDEUR SANDERS DRAFT SLIDE TIMELINE: NFL EXECUTIVES CAUSE MEDIA MELTDOWN BY REJECTING POLARIZING PROSPECT

"That's when I went through my first divorce in which the only things that I knew that truly loved me were my two kids. Now they're gone, now they've been taken away. It was devastating, and I went through suicidal thoughts, a suicidal period," Sanders said. 

"I ran this car off the side of the highway, and, at the bottom, I thought this car would just flip, and it didn't flip. And I was still there. Shortly after that, I just had to come to the Lord with my hands up and say, 'I'm done. I can't do it anymore. You got me. I give up. God, you take me.'"

During an introductory press conference last year commemorating his position as new head at UC, Sanders praised God.

"Out of all the persons in the world, God chose me," Sanders said. "For that, I thank Him; for that, I love Him; for that, I magnify Him; for that, I glorify Him; for that, I praise Him; for that, I owe Him. Each and every day, I'm trying to please Him," 

Sanders has maintained his family's devotion to faith even amid pushback from external sources. 

He came under fire by an anti-religion group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), over his use of a team chaplain for Colorado this past season. Sanders had Pastor Dewey Smith pray over the football team after its win against Baylor University on Sept. 22.

SHEDEUR SANDERS OPENS UP ON HISTORICA NFL DRAFT SLIDE, PRANK CALL AND BECOMING A BROWN

The FFRF released a scathing four-page letter condemning Sanders, claiming that having Smith do the prayer counted as "unconstitutional religious activities," as he leads a football team at a public university. 

When Sanders became the head coach at Colorado in 2023, the FFRF raised concerns about his previous open display of faith with his team. This resulted in the university giving him additional training on the boundaries of religious expression in public institutions. The university revealed in a statement that Sanders had received training on nondiscrimination policies and establishment clause requirements after his hiring. 

But that hasn't changed him. 

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EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., called on President Donald Trump's administration to take action against her state. 

In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital addressed to the Departments of Education and Justice, Miller pleaded for the agencies to investigate after the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) said it would continue allowing trans athletes to compete in girls' sports. 

"I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a recent decision by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which has chosen to blatantly disregard federal law and reject basic biological reality by allowing biological males to compete in girls’ athletic programs. This misguided policy not only undermines the integrity and fairness of girls’ sports, but it also jeopardizes the safety of young women across our state," Miller wrote. 

"I respectfully urge the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to investigate the actions of IHSA and the State of Illinois and take appropriate measures to ensure that federal civil rights protections are upheld." 

TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND 

Miller provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the letter, and condemning Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 

"I’m calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary Linda McMahon to launch an immediate investigation into the IHSA and the State of Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and radical Illinois Democrats must be held accountable for enforcing abusive, anti-science gender policies ahead of the safety of our daughters and the fairness of girls’ sports," Miller said. 

Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls' sports in Illinois since 2011.

Illinois became one of the many blue states to openly defy Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order after it was signed on Feb. 5. 

In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers last week, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. The IHSA cited the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls' sports. 

That letter came in response to GOP lawmakers sending their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body would do to change policy after Trump’s executive order passed. 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

"The Illinois High School Association has crossed a dangerous line. By blatantly violating federal law and rejecting biological reality, they are not only undermining fairness in girls’ sports – they’re putting the safety of young women at risk," Miller told Fox News Digital. 

A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. 

Georgas has now told Fox News Digital she is also worried about her daughter's athletic future because of the IHSA's ruling. 

"Imagine your daughter, dedicating her life, training for years, hours and hours a week, for her championship state race, only to face a male beating her and winning that coveted scholarship. How is that at all fair? Our daughter’s dedication to athletics is slowly being erased," Georgas said. 

Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. 

"Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Miller is calling for.

That state has seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against it for continued defiance of Trump's order. Maine has launched its own lawsuit against the Trump administration over the funding freeze, and a federal judge has ruled it be unfrozen. 

A New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. 

Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democratic, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. 

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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration and Department of Justice on Tuesday to ensure that states can continue letting biologically male trans athletes play in girls' sports. 

The White House has responded to the lawsuit, condemning Ellison for taking legal action to enable trans inclusion. 

"Why would a grown man sue the Trump administration to allow other biological males to participate in women’s sports? This is creepy and anti-woman," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told Fox News Digital. 

Ellison made the announcement at a press conference after months of the state defying Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. Ellison claimed he had received notice from the Department of Justice threatening legal action if the state did not follow the executive order. 

"I'm not going to sit around waiting for the Trump administration to sue Minnesota. Today, Minnesota is suing him and his administration because we will not participate in this shameful bullying," Ellison said. "We will not let a small group of vulnerable children who are only trying be healthy and live their lives be demonized." 

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Ellison's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, argues that the Trump administration does not have the authority to set states' athletic gender eligibility policies through an executive order.

Minnesota is the first state to sue the Department of Justice over threats to cut funding for letting trans athletes play in girls' sports, and the second state to sue the Trump administration over the issue. 

Maine has filed a lawsuit against Trump after the Department of Agriculture cut funding to the state on April 2, and a federal judge has already ruled the USDA must unfreeze the funding. 

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the state for its ongoing defiance of Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. Maine has faced federal pressure in the last two months over its refusal to comply, including two federal investigations, a funding freeze and now a lawsuit. 

When Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the lawsuit against Maine at a press conference last week, she said Minnesota and California could be next. 

"We’re looking at Minnesota. We’re looking at California. We’re looking at many, many states but they are the top two that should be on notice because we’ve been communicating with them," Bondi said.

After Trump's executive order, the Minnesota State High School League announced it would defy federal law by allowing transgender athletes to continue playing in women's sports.

Ellison's office stated that "based on the plain language of the statute, educational institutions and the Minnesota State High School League would violate the MHRA by prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in extracurricular activities consistent with their gender identity."

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Minnesota's state legislature failed to pass the "Preserving Girls’ Sports Act" in early March, which would have stated that "only female students may participate in an elementary or secondary school level athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted to women and girls."

The bill fell short in the state's House of Representatives, with 67 of the 68 votes needed to pass. Gov. Tim Walz was expected to veto the bill had it gone to his desk. 

Former Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota football player Jack Brewer lobbied for the bill, and had told Fox News Digital he found Walz's pro-trans stances "disgusting," especially considering Walz was a football coach at Mankato West High School in the 1990s. 

"It's absolutely disgusting, and it's why, when you see him and you see his mannerisms and the way he carries himself, you know this guy doesn't appeal to real men and boys who have battled it out on the gridiron, man. I have nothing in common with this guy," Brewer said. 

"I think he's a disgrace to the football world to be honest." 

A New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. 

Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democratic, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. 

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A federal judge ruled against Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby Friday in her lawsuit to have her censure in the state legislature overturned. Libby was censured Feb. 15 for a social media post that identified a transgender athlete who won a girls state pole vault title. 

The judge who made the ruling is Rhode Island U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden just before he left office in January. 

DuBose denied Libby's motion for a preliminary injunction Friday, ruling the process House Speaker Ryan Fecteau used to impose the sanction reflected the will of the majority of Maine House members.

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DuBose presided over the case after every district judge in Maine refused to take it.

Judges John C. Nivison, John A. Woodcock, Lance E. Walker, Karen F. Wolf, Stacey D. Neumann and Nancy Torresen signed recusal orders shortly after the case was initially filed. No reason was given. 

So, the case went to DuBose in Rhode Island. 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

Libby is "disappointed" by the ruling but plans to appeal it and will take the case to the court of appeals and, potentially, the U.S. Supreme Court. 

"I certainly won't leave any stone unturned in getting my constituents their voice and vote back," Libby told Fox News Digital. 

Libby represents 9,000 constituents in Maine's 90th district and has not been able to speak or vote on their behalf in the state legislature for 62 days. 

That cost her a chance to vote on the state's biannual budget and propose a bill to expand access to mental health resources for residents. 

With her censure remaining in place, it will prevent Libby from voting on or speaking on the House floor about a bill that would add trans inclusion in girls sports to the state constitution.

Her colleagues will be voting on the Democratic majority's bill after it passed with a slim simple majority in the House Thursday but will need a two-thirds majority in both chambers before it can go before voters. If passed, it would codify in the state's constitution the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which protects the rights of transgender athletes to compete for sports teams of the opposite sex.

"I will not be able to vote on that," Libby said. 

Libby's social media post that prompted the censure thrust the entire state into an active legal battle with President Donald Trump's administration over the issue of trans athletes in girls sports. 

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state for its ongoing defiance of Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. Maine has faced federal pressure in the last two months over its refusal to comply, including two federal investigations, a funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and now a lawsuit. 

The Democratic leadership in the state, led by Gov. Janet Mills, has fought back, filing their own lawsuit against Trump over the funding freeze. Another federal judge has already ruled the USDA must unfreeze the funding. 

"I’m happy to go to court and litigate the issues that are being raised in this court complaint," Mills told reporters Thursday. 

A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that out of about 600 registered Maine voters, 63% said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed it is "only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women."

The poll also found that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls sports to biological females. This included 64% of independents and 66% of parents with kids under age 18.

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The Democrat majority in the Maine House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would codify the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) in the state's constitution on Thursday. 

The MHRA has been the state's tent pole legislation in allowing trans athletes in girls' sports during an ongoing feud with President Donald Trump's administration over the issue. 

The law was amended four years ago to add gender identity as a protected class and specifically stated that denying a person an equal opportunity to participate in sports is discrimination against education. Last year, the Maine Principals’ Association updated its policy to allow athletes to compete against the gender they identify as.

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The proposed bill to constitutionalize the MHRA passed with a slim simple majority in the House on Thursday but will need a two-thirds majority in both chambers before it can go before voters.

Meanwhile, the Republican minority in the House is backing a proposal to remove the term "gender identity" from the MHRA. 

The vote came one day after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state for its ongoing defiance of Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. Maine has faced immense federal pressure in the last two months over its refusal to comply, including two federal investigations, a funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and now an official lawsuit. 

But the Democrat leadership in the state, led by Governor Janet Mills, has remained steadfast in its commitment to defy Trump and ensure biologically male trans athletes can still participate in girls' sports and enter girls' locker rooms.

The MHRA has been the central law those Democrats have leaned on to justify their defiant stance. 

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey justified his state's noncompliance with Trump by citing the MHRA in an interview on CNN Wednesday. 

"Our position is that Title IX, consistent with the Maine Human Rights Act, so both federal and state law, supports that trans girls will be able to participate in high school sports consistent with their gender identity," Frey said. "So my contention is Maine is following Title IX, Maine is following the Maine Human Rights Act." 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

Fox News Digital previously obtained statements from the Maine Principals’ Association and the Maine School Administrative District 51, citing the MHRA for its refusal to comply with Trump's executive order. 

"The Maine Principals’ Association is bound by the law, including the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which our participation policy reflects," officials said. "We are unable to sign any resolution agreement that would mandate we create a new policy that would violate the law and MHRA." 

The Maine School Administrative District 51, home to Greely High School, where a transgender athlete incited national controversy after winning a girls' pole vault competition in February, also pointed to the Maine Human Rights Act for allowing the athlete to compete. 

"The MSAD #51 Board of Directors is guided by the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of our district. This includes promoting a safe, caring and ethical learning environment where each person will be treated with respect and fairness; and individuals are recognized, valued and supported," the district said in a statement. 

However, the majority of Maine residents disagree with allowing trans athletes to compete in girls' sports. 

A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that out of about 600 registered Maine voters, 63% said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed that it is "only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women."

The poll also found that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls' sports to biological females. This included 64% of independents and 66% of parents with kids under age 18.

And while Maine's Democrat leadership refuses to comply with Trump's executive order, one school district is taking matters into its own hands and defying the state anyway.

The MSAD #70 School Board voted unanimously on Monday night to comply with Title IX, "recognizing only two sexes - biological male and biological female and that all private spaces be separated by biological sex."

MSAD #70 superintendent Tyler Putnam told Fox News Digital that, due to this vote, he is now directed to amend the district's policies to prevent trans athletes from competing in girls' sports. 

"Our board, similar to many people in Maine, have been following the back-and-forth communication between the federal government and the state. We are hoping for both sides to work together to help support local school districts like ourselves," Putnam said. 

"The board and our staff's No. 1 priority is to provide our students with an education that will positively impact their future in our great state and country."

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Maine Gov. Janet Mills has responded to the lawsuit that has been filed against her state by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for letting trans athletes compete in girls' sports.

Mills' office released a statement on Wednesday, hours after the lawsuit was announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi at a morning press conference. 

The statement references a ruling by a federal judge last Friday to stop the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from freezing funding to the state over the issue and investigations by President Donald Trump's Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services over the last seven weeks.

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"Today is the latest, expected salvo in an unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine to ignore the Constitution and abandon the rule of law. This matter has never been about school sports or the protection of women and girls, as has been claimed, it is about states rights and defending the rule of law against a federal government bent on imposing its will, instead of upholding the law. Federal Judge Woodcock's ruling of last Friday awarding the state a temporary restraining order reinforces our position that the federal government has been acting unlawfully," the statement read. 

"For nearly two months, Maine has endured recriminations from the Federal government that have targeted hungry school kids, hardworking fishermen, senior citizens, new parents, and countless Maine people. We have been subject to politically motivated investigations that opened and closed without discussion, leaving little doubt that their outcomes were predetermined. Let today serve as warning to all states: Maine might be among the first to draw the ire of the Federal government in this way, but we will not be the last."

Mills also boasted about her political background in the statement.

"For decades — first as a District Attorney, as Attorney General, and now as Governor — I have fought tirelessly for the rights of women and girls, for the health and well-being of children and families, and defending the Constitution of Maine and the Constitution of the United States. My Administration and Maine's Attorney General will vigorously defend our state against the action announced today from the Department of Justice," the statement read. 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

"As I have said previously, this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot."

The Justice Department has accused the state of "openly and defiantly flouting federal anti-discrimination law by enforcing policies that require girls to compete against boys in athletic competitions designated exclusively for girls," according to a complaint obtained by Fox News.

"By prioritizing gender identity over biological reality, Maine’s policies deprive girl athletes of fair competition, deny them equal athletic opportunities, and expose them to heightened risks of physical injury and psychological harm," the complaint added.

The complaint said the U.S. will seek "judgment granting declaratory injunctive, and damages relief for Defendant’s violations of Title IX and the federal funding contracts it signed promising to comply with Title IX and its implementing regulations."

The announcement of the lawsuit comes nearly two months after an infamous hostile exchange between Trump and Mills at a White House bi-partisan meeting of governors on Feb. 21. The exchange ended with both Trump and Mills uttering the phrase "see you in court" after Mills insisted her state would refuse to comply with his order.

Now, Trump's administration has made good on his vow to take the issue to court. 

The state has also launched its own lawsuit against the Trump administration over the recent USDA cuts and a federal judge has also ordered that the funding can not be frozen. 

A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that out of about 600 registered Maine voters, 63% said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed it is "only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women."

The poll also found that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls' sports to biological females. This included 64% of independents and 66% of parents with kids under age 18.

Fox News Digital's Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report. 

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A school district in Maine is moving to comply with the current federal definition of Title IX and ban biological male trans athletes from girls' sports, while the state government fights to enable trans inclusion. 

The MSAD #70 School Board voted unanimously on Monday night to comply with Title IX, "recognizing only two sexes - biological male and biological female and that all private spaces be separated by biological sex."

MSAD #70 superintendent Tyler Putnam told Fox News Digital that, due to this vote, he is now directed to amend the district's policies to prevent trans athletes from competing in girls' sports. 

"The motion directs me to rewrite our policies to adhere to the motion. It is my interpretation that the school board will be looking to approve policies that align biological sex to their specific athletic teams too i.e. biological males will be playing with only other biological males and same for biological females. These policies will need to be approved by the policy committee and the board once rewritten," Putnam said. 

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MSAD #70 is based in Hodgdon in Aroostook County. It is the northernmost county in the state and voted for President Donald Trump by a margin of 18% in the November election. The county also voted for two Republican state senators and seven Republican state House representatives.

Now, the county's school district will be siding with Trump and its Republican lawmakers in the ongoing battle over trans athlete inclusion in girls' sports. 

Putnam told Fox News Digital that the district has had no communication with state authorities, including the attorney general, the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) or the Maine Principal's Association (MPA) about the recent vote. 

"We have not had communication over this specific motion. Our board, similar to many people in Maine, have been following the back and forth communication between the federal government and the state. We are hoping for both sides to work together to help support local school districts like ourselves," Putnam said. 

"With the rising educational costs, this is a time we need to work with each other and not against. The board and our staff's No. 1 priority is to provide our students with an education that will positively impact their future in our great state and country. I am proud to work for and be from our small community in Hodgdon, Maine. My hope is that all of our students will benefit from the leadership decisions that are made at the local, state and national level."

Maine state Rep. Tracy Quint, one of the Republicans who represents Aroostook County, praised MSAD #70 for its vote. 

"I’m encouraged to see our local Maine community standing up for our students by upholding Title IX protections. Ensuring fairness, safety and privacy for every student should always come before politics. I urge other school districts across the state to follow this example and prioritize the well-being of all their students," Quint told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Maine Attorney General's Office and Gov. Janet Mills' office for comment. 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

The state is currently facing immense federal pressure to comply with Trump's February executive order to ban trans athletes from girls' and women's sports, but has firmly defied the order under Mills' leadership. 

Maine has been referred to the Department of Justice twice over the last month, and faces a federal funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Maine officials filed a lawsuit against the USDA last Monday in response to the agency’s decision to freeze funding. 

A federal judge ruled Friday that the USDA "must immediately unfreeze and release to the state of Maine any federal funding that they have frozen or failed or refused to pay because of the state of Maine's alleged failure to comply with the requirements of Title IX."

The state's divide on trans inclusion was then brought to light when Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby identified a trans athlete in a social media post who won a girls' pole vault competition for Greely High School in February.

Libby was censured for her social media post on the premise she identified a minor by name and with a photo. However, Libby has since filed a lawsuit to have the censure overturned, arguing the trans athlete had already been identified by other media prior to her post. The lawsuit has gone to trial in a Rhode Island district court. 

In addition to the incident involving the pole vaulter at Greely High School, other instances have affected multiple girls across the state who have had to compete with and share locker rooms with biological males. 

Maine teen Cassidy Carlisle told Fox News Digital about how she had to share a locker room with a trans student while in middle school. She then had to compete with another trans athlete in Nordic skiing last year. 

"The defeat that comes with that in that moment is heartbreaking," Carlisle said. "I'm just in shock in a way. I didn't believe it.… I didn't think it was happening to me."

A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that out of about 600 registered Maine voters, 63% said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed it’s "only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women."

The poll also found that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls' sports to biological females. This included 64% of independents and 66% of parents with kids under age 18.

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A federal judge said the Trump administration must lift the freeze on federal funding to Maine.

The ruling reads that the USDA "must immediately unfreeze and release to the state of Maine any federal funding that they have frozen or failed or refused to pay because of the state of Maine's alleged failure to comply with the requirements of Title IX."

The administration is also "barred from freezing, terminating, or otherwise interfering with the state of Maine's future federal funding for alleged violations of Title IX without complying with the legally required procedure."

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The USDA announced the funding freeze and a review of federal funding to Maine earlier this month after the state refused to provide equal opportunities to women and girls in educational programs.

The state has refused to comply with President Donald Trump's February executive order to ban trans athletes from girls' and women's sports, prompting immense federal pressure. Trump initially vowed to cut federal funding to the state if it were to refuse to comply with the order during a Feb. 20 speech. 

Maine officials filed a lawsuit against the USDA on Monday following the agency’s decision to freeze funding to the state.

The state accused the USDA of "withholding funding used to feed children in schools, childcare centers, and after-school programming as well as disabled adults in congregate settings," an argument the judge agreed with.

The judge noted that the freeze was due to Title IX violations, but it restricted the ability to "provid[e] meals to children and vulnerable adults."

Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, recently called for the issues between the administration and her state to be "resolved," saying that she would continue to fight for federal funding for the state while also being against transgender athletes in biological female sports.

The Department of Education also launched an investigation into the state due to the issue.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) referred the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) to the Department of Justice on Friday for continuning to allow trans athletes to compete in girls sports. 

It is the second DOJ referral the state's educational institutions have faced in the last month over the issue, after the Department of Health and Human Services referred MDOE, the Maine Principals' Association and Greely High School on March 28.

After Trump signed an executive order to ban trans athletes from women's and girls' sports on February 5, Maine was one of the many states that openly defied the order. The state's divide on trans inclusion was then brought to light when Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby identified in a social media post a trans athlete who had won a girls pole vault competition for Greely High School that month. 

Libby was censured by Maine's Democratic majority and Speaker Ryan Fecteau for the post, which has prevented her from carrying out other legislative actions to serve her constituents.

Fox News' Jackson Thompson and Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) referred the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) to the Department of Justice Friday for continuning to allow trans athletes to compete in girls sports. 

It's the second DOJ referral the state's educational institutions have faced in the last month over the issue, after the Department of Health and Human Services referred MDOE, the Maine Principals' Association and Greely High School March 28.

Now, the OCR informed Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster of a second DOJ referral in a letter Friday. The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, states that earlier Friday the Maine attorney general's office formally notified OCR it would not sign a resolution agreement to amend the state's gender eligibility policies to comply with Title IX, so the DOJ referral must be made. 

"Accordingly, OCR has determined compliance cannot be secured by informal or voluntary means," the letter states. "OCR now refers this matter to the Department of Justice with a recommendation for appropriate proceedings, to enforce all legally available remedies."

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OCR also says it is initiating proceedings to have further funding to the state suspended or frozen. 

"This letter also serves as notice to MDOE that OCR is initiating administrative proceedings to suspend, terminate, defer final approval, and/or refuse to grant or continue Federal financial assistance to MDOE," the letter said. 

The DOE announced in a statement that it will initiate an administrative proceeding to adjudicate termination of MDOE’s federal K-12 education funding, including formula and discretionary grants.

The USDA recently announced a funding freeze to the state over the issue. 

MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER

Maine officials filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Monday in response to the agency’s decision to freeze funding to the state for its refusal to reverse its transgender athlete participation policy in schools.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Maine attorney general's office for comment on Friday's referral. 

The state has been under federal pressure in recent months to protect female athletes from trans inclusion after several controversial incidents involving trans athletes and an ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and Maine Gov. Janet Mills. 

After Trump signed an executive order to ban trans athletes from women's and girls sports Feb. 5, Maine was one of the many states that openly defied the order. The state's divide on trans inclusion was then brought to light when Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby identified a trans athlete in a social media post who won a girls pole vault competition for Greely High School that month.

The post brought national awareness, including from Trump, who vowed to halt funding to the state if it continued allowing males in girls sports during a  meeting of GOP governors Feb. 20. The next day, Mills' office released a statement threatening legal action against Trump, who engaged in a verbal spat with Mills over the issue at a bipartisan meeting of governors later that day. 

Just hours after that, the U.S. Department of Education announced its initial investigation into the state for potential Title IX violations.

Libby was censured for her social media post on the premise she identified a minor by name and with a photo. However, Libby has since filed a lawsuit to have the censure overturned, arguing the trans athlete had already been identified by other media prior to her post. The lawsuit has gone to trial in a Rhode Island district court. 

In addition to the incident involving the pole vaulter at Greely High School, other instances have affected multiple girls across the state who have had to compete with and share locker rooms with biological males. 

Maine teen Cassidy Carlisle previously told Fox News Digital about how she had to share a locker room with a trans student while in middle school. She then had to compete with another trans athlete in Nordic skiing last year. 

"The defeat that comes with that in that moment is heartbreaking," Carlisle said. "I'm just in shock in a way. I didn't believe it. … I didn't think it was happening to me."

A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that out of about 600 registered Maine voters, 63% said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed it’s "only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women."

The poll also found that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls sports to biological females. This included 64% of independents and 66% of parents with kids under age 18.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.