U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has condemned Maine’s education commissioner for allegedly undermining Trump’s executive orders on public education through emails advising schools to ignore federal directives. McMahon cited the Department of Education’s lawsuit against Maine for violating Title IX, warning of potential consequences for defying federal law. The emails, obtained by Fox News Digital, suggest Maine schools were directed to follow state laws instead of Trump’s policies, highlighting a contentious political and legal dispute.
The controversy stems from a series of emails obtained by Fox News Digital that show Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin drafting memos for schools advising them to prioritize state laws over Trump’s January executive orders. These orders aimed to address public education policies, including the ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ directive. Makin’s memos emphasize that Maine schools should adhere to the Maine Human Rights Act and local school board policies, asserting that federal executive orders do not override state legislation.
McMahon, who is a prominent figure in the Trump administration, has been vocal about the importance of federal oversight in education. She has cited the Department of Justice’s ongoing lawsuit against Maine for its defiance of Title IX, which is a federal law protecting against sex discrimination in educational institutions. The lawsuit is set to go to trial in January 2026, underscoring the legal and political ramifications of Maine’s stance.
Maine’s defiance of Trump’s policies has not been without consequences. The state faced a trans athlete winning a girls’ pole vault competition in February, escalating tensions between the state and the Trump administration. This incident led to an in-person verbal spat between Trump and Governor Janet Mills at a February White House meeting of governors, further intensifying the political divide.
Political figures like Maine state representative Laurel Libby have echoed McMahon’s concerns, criticizing the state’s stance as part of a broader ‘woke agenda’ that many Mainers oppose. Libby noted that the majority of Mainers believe school sports should be based on biological sex and that restricting women’s sports to biological women is fair. A recent survey by the American Parents Coalition supported this sentiment, with a significant percentage of Maine voters and parents backing a ballot measure to limit women’s sports to biological females.
The situation reflects a broader national debate over education policy, gender identity in sports, and the balance of federal versus state authority. As the legal battle between Maine and the federal government continues, the implications for education policy and civil rights remain unresolved, with significant political and social implications.