‘The State of Maine Will Not Be Intimidated’: Governor Stands Up to Trump’s Threats
Democrat refuses to fold in face of president’s attacks on trans Americans
Maine’s Democratic governor is refusing to fold in the face of Donald Trump’s public attack on her and her state’s policies supporting transgender residents.
It’s another example of Democratic officials in the states opposing Trump’s authoritarian policies.
Gov Janet Mills responded to a confrontation she had at the White House while meeting with Trump and other state governors.
Trump’s Department of Education has launched an investigation into Maine after Mills said she would see Trump in court when the president tried to push Mills into abandoning Maine policy that allows transgender students to compete in sports that match their gender identity.
Trump has been working to roll back rights of transgender Americans since he took office last month.
Trump’s encounter with Mills was caught on camera when he asked her whether she would comply with his ban on trans athletes.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump asked.
“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Mills replied, before Trump claimed “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,” he threatened.
Mills later released a statement, making clear that she was not going to be coerced.
“If the President attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of Federal funding, my Administration and the [state] Attorney General will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides,” Mills’ statement said. “The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President’s threats.”
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