Maine Gov. Janet Mills, in her first comments since the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state, said she welcomes the legal challenge

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, claims Maine is violating Title IX by allowing transgender student-athletes to compete in girls sports.

“I’m happy to go to court and litigate the issues that are being raised in this court complaint,” Mills said. “A complaint which, by the way, cites no authority, no case law for their position on the sports issue.”

The lawsuit, filed by the Trump administration, accuses Maine of “openly and defiantly flouting” Title IX by permitting transgender athletes to participate in girls athletics. The filing argues that “the term ‘sex’ does not mean gender identity.”

“It is just totally unfair, and it’s against the law,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said. “It’s absolutely against federal law.”

But Mills says that’s Trump’s interpretation of Title IX, an opinion she disagrees with. She called the lawsuit a distraction from other issues his administration faces.

“To target people — a minority group who are already targeted in cruel and unfair ways — is a sad and cruel distraction,” Mills said.

She said the Trump Administration’s threat to take away federal funding for schools won’t hold up in court.

“I urge you to read this ruling and tell me federal court has not already ruled they cannot simply deprive a state of funds,” Mills said, holding up a copy of a recent court ruling preventing the Trump administration from cutting USDA funding to Maine.

Republicans have continued to argue that transgender athletes create an uneven playing field in girls sports.

“Suddenly, they are bettered, if you will, in the sport or beaten in the sport by a male,” McMahon said.

Mills said again Thursday that Maine’s policy around transgender athletes is “worthy of discussion.” But, when asked about female athletes who say it’s unfair to play against transgender girls, Mills pointed to Maine athlete Maddie Ripley, who won individual state wrestling championships competing against boys in 2023 and 2024.

“Women can do very well in sports of all kinds, and I support that,” Mills said.

She was also asked by reporters if the state was going to look into MSAD 70, a northern Maine school district that has made plans to change its Title IX policy to align with the Trump administration’s demands. In response, Mills said she’s not going to give the district legal advice.

“That’s not my job,” she said.