WASHINGTON

US Attorney General Pam Bondi unveiled legal actions against Maine on Wednesday for that state's refusal to ban transgender athletes from women’s and girl’s sports.

"Today, the Department of Justice is announcing a civil lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education.

"The State of Maine is discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women's sports, pretty basic stuff," Bondi told reporters.

The dispute began in February when President Donald Trump signed an executive order that banned transgender women from women’s and girls’ sports.

During a White House event Feb. 21, Trump confronted Maine Gov. Janet 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."

Bondi said her agency has "exhausted every other remedy."

"We tried to get Maine to comply. We don't like standing up here and filing lawsuits. We want to get states to comply with us," she added.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said her department analyzed Maine's Education Department for compliance with Title Nine of the Education Amendments of 1972 which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding.

"Unfortunately, our investigation has found that Maine continues to willfully violate Title Nine and to strip the civil rights of female athletes in the state," she said.

Mills will "definitely get her wish," she added.

'Latest, expected salvo' to pressure Maine: Governor

Mills said it marks "the latest, expected salvo in an unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine to ignore the Constitution and abandon the rule of law."

It has never been about school sports or the protection of women and girls, Mills said, adding it is about states' rights and defending the rule of law against a federal government "bent on imposing its will."

"We have been subject to politically motivated investigations that opened and closed without discussion, leaving little doubt that their outcomes were predetermined.

"Let today serve as warning to all states: Maine might be among the first to draw the ire of the Federal government in this way, but we will not be the last," she said.

Mills stressed that for decades she has fought "tirelessly" for the rights of women and girls, for the health and well-being of children and families, and defending the Constitution of Maine and the Constitution of the US.

"My Administration and Maine's Attorney General will vigorously defend our state against the action announced today from the Department of Justice."

"As I have said previously, this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot," she added.