Senator Susan Collins has publicly expressed her opposition to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order restricting transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, aligning herself with Maine’s decision not to enforce the federal directive at the state level.
Collins, a Republican representing Maine, broke with the administration by stating that the issue of transgender inclusion in sports should be addressed with “compassion and fairness,” not sweeping federal mandates. Her comments came just days after Maine’s Department of Education and state athletic associations announced they would not comply with the executive order, choosing instead to continue following their existing policies, which allow trans students to compete according to their gender identity on a case-by-case basis.
The Trump administration’s directive, signed last week, requires educational institutions and athletic programs that receive federal funding to restrict participation in female sports to athletes assigned female at birth. Supporters of the policy argue it is necessary to preserve competitive balance and ensure the integrity of women’s athletics.
However, critics, including Collins, say the order could lead to discrimination and unnecessary exclusion, particularly for students in younger age groups. Collins emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of all students while also ensuring fair competition, suggesting that local and state agencies are better equipped to address these matters than the federal government.
In response, the White House reaffirmed its stance, stating that the order is about protecting women’s sports from what it views as unfair advantages. Administration officials have hinted at the possibility of penalizing states that fail to comply, potentially affecting federal education funding.
Maine’s defiance adds to the growing national debate over transgender rights in athletics, with several other states considering their own paths forward. As legal challenges loom, the conflict between state policies and federal directives is expected to intensify.
Senator Collins has long positioned herself as a centrist voice within the GOP and has previously supported legislation aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. Her latest comments reinforce her continued divergence from the party line on certain social issues, particularly when state autonomy is at stake.