AUGUSTA (WGME) — Maine has reached a settlement with the Trump administration to unfreeze funding primarily used to feed schoolchildren in need. This development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing legal battle between the state and the Trump administration over Title IX, presidential power, and transgender athletes.

Under the settlement, signed Friday, the Trump administration has agreed not to freeze or otherwise interfere with the state's access to Department of Agriculture funds. The settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt by any party involved.

The settlement comes exactly a month after Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sent a letter to Governor Janet Mills, writing the USDA was freezing the state's funding.

"The letter on April 2nd from Brooke Rollins...I have described earlier to people as something that has smacked as a ransom note written by a school child," said Governor Mills.

A move widely viewed as illegal since that money that had already been approved by Congress.

In response, Attorney General Aaron Frey sued. "There was no investigation, there was no notice, and there was no lawful process that was followed." He added, "Maine had no choice, but to bring suit to confront this unlawful action by the USDA,” said Attorney General Aaron Frey.

Governor Mills hailed the settlement as "a victory," noting that Maine achieved its demands in the lawsuit against the federal government. The funding freeze had impacted the salaries of workers administering school food programs. Maine's Attorney General described the freeze as "blatantly illegal" and the Governor stated, "We took on Trump... and won."