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April 7, 2025

USDA cuts funds to Maine food programs for alleged Title IX violations

By Tina Fischer

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey is suing the Trump administration for new funding cuts that affect food assistance to schools and child care facilities.
 
Frey says the cuts are an attempt by the administration to punish the state for allowing transgender youth to compete in high school sports. 

The alleged violations of Title IX have been a contentious issue between the administration and the state since Gov. Janet Mills spoke in defiance of President Donald Trump at a televised White House event in February.

Frey filed a complaint Monday in federal court against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins. The attorney general contends that while Rollins claimed in an April 2 letter to his office, that the threatened cuts to education would not impact food programs, monies are being restricted.  

On April 3, Frey found that the Child Nutrition Program of the Maine Department of Education was unable to access some federal funding, “which is used to feed children in schools, childcare centers, and after-school programming as well as disabled adults in congregate settings,” Frey said in a statement issued Monday.

“Under the banner of keeping children safe, the Trump administration is illegally withholding grant funds that go to keeping children fed,” Frey said. “This is just another example where no law or consequence appears to restrain the administration as it seeks capitulation to its lawlessness. 

“The president and his cabinet secretaries do not make the law and they are not above the law, and this action is necessary to remind the president that Maine will not be bullied into violating the law.”

In the complaint, Frey states that the funding freeze is, “unlawful, following no legally required procedure to alter the congressionally appropriated funds, including the USDA’s own regulations which require a hearing and a formal decision on the record before funds can be terminated.” 

The attorney general is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the USDA from withholding funds while the court reviews the lawsuit. 

In her April 2 letter to Frey, Rollins stated, “[t]his is only the beginning.” 

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