Gov. Janet Mills to be honored for civil rights stance in conflict with Trump admin over trans inclusion in girls’ sports.

Governor Recognized for Civil Rights Advocacy

Maine Governor Janet Mills will be honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for her advocacy of transgender inclusion in girls’ and women’s sports. The ceremony is scheduled to take place next month. Mills is being recognized for her stance in a high-profile dispute with the Trump administration regarding the rights of transgender athletes.

“I am honored to receive this recognition named for former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, a heroic champion for civil rights and the rule of law,” Mills said in a statement. She emphasized her commitment to constitutional values, citing her decades of public service as a district attorney, attorney general, and governor.

Mills will receive the award alongside U.S. Justice Department pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer and immigration rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra. The recipients were chosen “for their moral courage and willingness to act on their convictions – even at great personal risk,” according to the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization.

Federal Clash Over Transgender Athlete Policy

The honor comes as Mills remains at the center of a legal and political confrontation with President Donald Trump’s administration. In April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sued the state of Maine after Mills refused to comply with an executive order banning biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s sports programs receiving federal funding.

The conflict escalated during a February governors' meeting when the president and Mills publicly clashed over the state’s policy on trans athlete participation. Following that meeting, the USDA announced a freeze on funding and launched a review of Maine’s compliance with federal anti-discrimination guidelines. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that Maine would need to ensure protections for female athletes to regain funding access.

Maine responded with its own lawsuit, accusing the USDA of withholding essential federal funds used to support meals for children in schools and daycares, as well as for disabled adults in care facilities. The legal challenge contended that the funding freeze endangered vital nutrition programs for vulnerable populations.

Earlier this month, the USDA agreed to restore federal funding to Maine, prompting the state to drop its lawsuit. However, other legal challenges involving the state’s transgender sports policies remain ongoing.

Mills has framed the controversy as part of a broader struggle to uphold civil liberties. “I feel it is the responsibility of all Americans to speak in defense of their principles, for the rights of others, and for the rule of law which protects us all,” she said.

The award highlights the broader national debate over the balance between gender identity rights and protections for women's sports. As litigation continues, Mills’ recognition underscores her administration’s unwavering position despite federal pressure.