Trump admin refers Maine's 'noncompliance with Title IX' to DOJ amid fight over trans athletes

Maine high schooler Cassidy Carlisle opened up to Fox News Digital about her experience dealing with trans people in the state's public schools and sports, as she is now taking an active hand in fighting against it.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on Friday said it referred Maine’s "noncompliance" with Title IX rules to the Justice Department for enforcement.

Maine has continued to defy President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban trans athletes from women’s and girls’ sports. The HHS gave the state 10 days to correct its policies through a signed agreement or risk referral to the Justice Department.

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Maine Gov. Janet Mills speaks during the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 21. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"Today, OCR referred Maine’s noncompliance with Title IX to @TheJusticeDept for enforcement in court for continuing to unlawfully allow males to compete against females," the department announced in a post on X. 

"HHS will continue to protect women’s sports and keep the promises of Title IX for America’s women and girls."

Fox News Digital reached out to Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ office and Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey’s office for comment.

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, said Thursday it was not complying and will instead "continue to follow state law and the Maine Human Rights Act."

The Maine Principals' Association said in a statement it is also "bound by the law,