News brief

Trump sues Maine over trans athletes. The Trump administration sued Maine’s education department on April 16 for not complying with its push to ban transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports. The lawsuit announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi escalates a dispute over whether the state is abiding by the federal Title IX anti-discrimination law that bars discrimination in education based on sex. The lawsuit follows weeks of feuding between the Republican administration and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills that has led to threats to cut crucial federal funding. Ms. Bondi said other states, including Minnesota and California, could also be sued.

Who should decide the best way to protect vulnerable children – their parents, or the state? In December 2024, we reported how that question lies at the heart of the biggest transgender rights case in U.S. Supreme Court history.