On Feb. 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender women from competing in women’s sports. This order states it is the policy of the United States to rescind funding from educational programs that allow transgender individuals to compete in athletic opportunities.
“In recent years, many educational institutions and athletic associations have allowed men to compete in women’s sports. This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports,” the order said.
This executive order has been met with support from the right, as well as serious backlash. One of the most outspoken opponents has been Gov. Janet Mills of Maine.
On Feb. 21, During a governor’s meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump exchanged words with Mills.
During his remarks, Trump directly challenged Mills regarding her state’s non-compliance with transgender executive orders.
“The NCAA has complied immediately by the way. That’s good, but I understand Maine — is Maine here, the governor of Maine?” Trump asked.
“I’m here,” Mills said.
“Are you not going to comply with it [the transgender sports ban]?” Trump asked.
“I’m going to comply with state and federal law,” Mills said.
“Well, I’m — we are the federal law, well you better do it, because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t,” Trump said. “And by the way, your population, even though it’s somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, your population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports, so you better comply because otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding.”
“See you in court,” Mills said.
“Good. I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that — that should be a real easy one, and enjoy your life after Governor because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics,” Trump said.
The heated exchange went viral over social media and the news, sparking a conversation surrounding executive power and transgender policy.
Responses have been varied. Some have supported Mill’s, reinforcing her stance against the federal government’s overreaching. However, others have sided with Trump in his policy enforcement.
“Makes me proud to be a Maine man. Thank you, Governor, for standing up to the bully,” Stephen King wrote on X.
After the gathering on Feb. 21, Mills issued a statement on the president’s threat to withhold federal education funding from Maine.
“If the President attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of Federal funding, my Administration and the Attorney General will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides. The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President’s threats,” Mills said.
On the same day, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation into Maine’s Department of Education.
“OCR is initiating a directed investigation of the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) amid allegations that it continues to allow male athletes to compete in girls’ interscholastic athletics and that it has denied female athletes female-only intimate facilities, thereby violating federal antidiscrimination law,” the press release said.
This exchange, although one of many heated debates surrounding transgender participation in sports, highlights the ongoing debate and the future legal battles to come.
