Maine Governor Janet Mills Confronted Trump Over Transgender Athlete Ban
– A tense exchange unfolded between President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills at a National Governors Association gathering at the White House, centering on Maine’s policy regarding transgender athletes.
During his speech, President Trump called out Governor Mills for not complying with his executive order banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports. He demanded that Maine align its policies with the federal directive, proclaiming his administration as “federal law.”
“Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump asked Mills, who was seated at a table during the event.
Mills responded that she would comply with both state and federal law. Trump countered, stating, “I — well, we are the federal law. You’d better do it. You’d better do it, because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.”
The confrontation stems from a Maine law that allows transgender athletes to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity, as protected under the Maine Human Rights Act. This law conflicts with Trump’s executive order, prompting local Republicans to attempt to change the state law. State Representative Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, recently shared a photo on social media of a high school athlete she identified as transgender, a post that gained traction within conservative media circles and seemingly spurred Trump’s recent threats regarding federal education funding.
The exchange at the National Governors Association gathering was not the first instance of Trump threatening Maine’s funding. He had previously made similar remarks, reportedly prompting the administration to consider withholding federal funds from the state.
The situation has escalated beyond verbal sparring, with federal agencies reportedly taking “extraordinary steps” against Maine in the wake of Mills’ response to Trump at the White House. According to a report by the Washington Monthly, these actions have included holding up funds for after-school meals, universities, farmers, and even delaying Social Security applications for newborns in hospitals. Leland Dudeck, the Acting Social Security Commissioner, reportedly admitted to singling out Maine because he “was ticked” that Mills was not “real cordial to the president.”
Governor Mills, however, has stood firm, responding to Trump’s actions with a promise of legal challenges. Her now-famous retort, “See you in court,” delivered at the February meeting, signaled her intention to fight the administration’s attempts to override state law. And true to her word, Mills has pursued legal action against the administration in response to the funding threats.
Maine’s political landscape is complex, with a mix of centrist, liberal, and conservative viewpoints. The state’s two U.S. House seats are held by Democrats, while the U.S. Senate representation is split between an independent and a Republican. This political complexity adds another layer to the ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and Governor Mills.
The NCAA has reportedly complied with Trump’s executive order, a point the president highlighted during his remarks. However, Maine remains steadfast in its commitment to its existing law, setting the stage for a continued legal battle and a potential showdown over federal funding.
