WASHINGTON

The US Agriculture Department (USDA) froze funds to some Maine educational programs on Wednesday because the state refused to ban transgender women from sports.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sent a letter to Gov. Janet Mills announcing the pause and a review of federal funding that the state receives from the agency.

The move came after Maine refused to provide equal opportunity to women and girls in educational programs.

“In order to continue to receive taxpayer dollars from USDA, the state of Maine must demonstrate compliance with Title IX which protects female student athletes from having to compete with or against or having to appear unclothed before males," Rollins wrote in the letter.

The dispute began in February when President Donald Trump signed an executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” banning transgender women from women’s and girls’ sports.

During a White House event last month, Trump confronted Mills, asking if she would comply. Mills responded: “I’m complying with state and federal law.” Trump retorted: “We are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't.”

The Democratic governor stood her ground, saying: “We’ll see you in court,” with Trump replying: “Good. I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that."