Riley Gaines warns California, Minnesota about states' failures to comply with Title IX

Riley Gaines spoke at a DOJ press conference announcing a lawsuit against Maine for failing to comply with Title IX rules.

Riley Gaines put California, Minnesota and other states on notice as Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit against Maine for the state’s failure to comply with Title IX.

Gaines was at the press conference where Bondi talked about the lawsuit. The former NCAA star swimmer-turned-champion for fairness in women’s sports received an opportunity to speak.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi, center, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

"Let this be a notice – California, Minnesota and the likes thereof – if you do not comply with federal law, you do not get to reap the benefits of complying with federal law," she said. "Of course, one of those benefits being receiving federal funds. Women are protected and recognized under federal law – again, that law being Title IX.

"The U.S. government, including the Department of Justice, including the Department of Education, will not stand by and ignore when the federally protected rights of women and girls are being violated."

Gaines, who hosts OutKick’s "Gaines for Girls" podcast, said the moment between Maine Gov. Janet Mills and President Donald Trump during their spat in February "went viral for all the right reasons."

She made clear that Trump was a "man of his promises and that’s what we’ve seen delivered."

"Promises made, promises kept," she said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigns for then-President Joe Biden on July 4, 2024 at a county Democratic Party event in South Haven, Michigan.