Protect Women’s Sports or Face the Consequences

Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued a warning to the states of California, Maine, and Minnesota, demanding compliance with federal antidiscrimination laws that prohibit boys from competing in girls’ sports.

Bondi made it clear that failure to comply could result in legal action from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On Tuesday, Bondi sent letters to the attorneys general of California, Maine, and Minnesota, stating that the DOJ will hold states accountable if they violate federal law.

BREAKING: US AG Pam Bondi just issued letters to Maine, California, and Minnesota warning them to cease allowing boys to play in girls’ sports or face potential legal action. pic.twitter.com/q3l26nMxGq

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 25, 2025

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The letters, first obtained by Fox News, referenced recent legal actions taken by the DOJ against Illinois and New York earlier in February for defying federal immigration laws.

“This Department of Justice will hold accountable states and state entities that violate federal law,” Bondi wrote. “Indeed, we have already begun to do so.”

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Bondi also warned that the DOJ is prepared to pursue lawsuits against states that fail to comply with federal antidiscrimination laws.

“We also stand ready to sue states and state entities that defy federal antidiscrimination laws,” Bondi wrote.

The letters come after President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14201, which directs the DOJ and the Department of Education to enforce protections for women’s and girls’ sports.

The order states that allowing biological males to compete in female sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls.”

Bondi emphasized that state athletic associations in California, Maine, and Minnesota have made clear that they intend to continue allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports despite the federal mandate.

Bondi specifically pointed to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who issued a legal opinion claiming that the Minnesota State High School League would be violating state law unless it continued allowing boys to compete against girls.

In California, Bondi warned that the state is under investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for potential Title IX violations related to its athletic policies.

“If the Department of Education’s investigation shows that the Federation is indeed denying girls an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them to compete against boys, the Department of Justice stands ready to take all appropriate action to enforce federal law,” Bondi stated.

She issued similar warnings to Maine, which is also under federal investigation for potential Title IX violations in its Department of Education policies.

“If these or other federal investigations show that the relevant Maine entities are indeed denying girls an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them to compete against boys, the Department of Justice stands ready to take all appropriate action to enforce federal law,” Bondi wrote.

Bondi’s warning follows a recent exchange between President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills at a White House meeting regarding the executive order.

During the bipartisan meeting of governors, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine if it refused to comply.

“Are you not going to comply with that?” Trump asked Mills.

Mills responded, “I’m complying with state and federal laws.”

Trump pushed back, saying, “Well, we are the federal law. You better do it, you better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.”

He further stated, “And by the way, your population, even though it’s somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, your population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports, so you better comply because otherwise you’re not getting any federal funding.”

Mills responded, “We’ll see you in court.”

Trump, unfazed, replied, “Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after governor because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

President Trump calls Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) out to her face over her refusal to comply with the executive order keeping men out of women’s sports:

“You better do it — because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.” pic.twitter.com/uMUZsy1j6t

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 21, 2025

Bondi reiterated that the DOJ will not tolerate states ignoring federal law.

“This Department of Justice will defend women and does not tolerate state officials who ignore federal law,” Bondi told Fox News.

She added that the administration will take all necessary legal actions to ensure states comply with federal protections for women’s sports.

“We will leverage every legal option necessary to ensure state compliance with federal law and President Trump’s executive order protecting women’s sports,” Bondi stated.

The DOJ’s stance is based on Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, which guarantees that women and girls have an equal opportunity to compete in sports.

The DOJ maintains that requiring female athletes to compete against biological males violates federal law and that states failing to comply could face lawsuits or the loss of federal funding.

With federal investigations ongoing, California, Maine, and Minnesota could soon face further legal action from the Trump administration as the DOJ enforces Title IX protections for female athletes.

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