In settlement, the USDA agrees to end Maine funding freeze challenged by state AG

MAINE PUBLIC • May 2, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to halt efforts to freeze federal funds for child nutrition programs in Maine. In exchange the state will drop its lawsuit against the agency. The settlement agreement closes a lawsuit brought by Maine after the USDA yanked $3 million in federal funds. The move was unlawful and didn't follow a procedure required to halt funding. The funding freeze was one of several moves made by the Trump administration to punish Maine. Gov. Janet Mills took a few rhetorical swipes at President Trump and his administration, saying "we took him to court and we won."