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In a recent update, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon responded to a Fox News Digital report highlighting how the Maine education commissioner allegedly undermined President Donald Trump’s executive orders in correspondence with schools. In her post on X, McMahon referenced the Trump administration’s ongoing lawsuit against Maine for its noncompliance with Title IX.
"Defying federal law is precisely why the [Department of Education] found Maine in violation of Title IX, and it’s the reason the DOJ is pursuing legal action against the state. Ignoring federal law comes with consequences," McMahon stated.
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Emails obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin drafted several memos advising schools to prioritize state law over Trump’s January executive orders concerning public education. One memo, sent on January 28, emphasized, "Last week, we advised schools to adhere to the Maine Human Rights Act and local school board policies regarding nondiscrimination. At this time, neither our state law nor local policies are impacted by the federal executive orders."
Makin also communicated with Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster about a memo instructing schools to disregard Trump’s "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling" executive order. An email on January 30 stated, "This executive order changes nothing for Maine schools," reinforcing that "Maine schools should continue to follow state laws and local policies."
On January 31, Makin sent another memo to superintendents, clarifying that the executive order does not alter school obligations under state law, including the Maine Human Rights Act, nor does it necessitate immediate changes to local school board policies.
During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Maine State Representative Laurel Libby reacted to the report, stating, "I’m not surprised at all. This is a woke agenda that most Mainers don’t support. They believe biological males should not compete in girls’ sports and that the focus should not be on DEI and social-emotional learning."
Maine, under Governor Janet Mills, has been at odds with the Trump administration since February, when it became one of the first states to openly defy Trump’s "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" executive order. This defiance led to a trans athlete winning a girls’ pole vault competition, culminating in a verbal exchange between Trump and Mills at a White House meeting of governors on February 21.
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit against Mills and the state for violating Title IX, with the case set to go to trial in January 2026.
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A recent survey by the American Parents Coalition revealed that 63% of approximately 600 registered Maine voters believe that participation in school sports should be determined by biological sex. Additionally, 66% agreed that women’s sports should be restricted to biological females. The poll also indicated that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls’ sports to biological females, including 64% of independents and 66% of parents with children under 18.
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About the Author:
Jackson Thompson is a dedicated sports writer for Fox News Digital, with previous experience at ESPN and Business Insider. He has covered major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals and has interviewed sports legends such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, and Jerry Rice.
