Maine gov fundraises off quarrel with Trump: ‘I told him we’d see him in court’

Gov. Janet Mills of Maine has found herself in the national spotlight after a public clash with President Donald Trump over her state’s refusal to comply with his executive order regarding transgender athletes. The confrontation occurred at the White House, where Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine until they took action to prevent transgender women from participating in women’s sports.

Mills stood her ground, asserting that Maine would follow the law and challenging Trump by saying, “We’ll see you in court.” In response, Trump warned her that her political career may be at risk once she leaves office. Following this exchange, Mills wasted no time in capitalizing on the moment by launching a mass fundraising campaign, citing her confrontation with Trump as a rallying cry for support.

The governor’s text messages to Maine residents highlighted Trump’s attempts to impose his personal demands and intimidate the state. She emphasized the need to resist such threats and called for donations to the Maine Democratic Party to ensure they have the resources to fight back against Trump’s agenda.

Meanwhile, the debate over transgender athletes in Maine intensified as a transgender woman who previously competed as a man claimed the top spot in the women’s pole vault at a state championship. Despite Trump’s executive order, the Maine Principal’s Association decided to adhere to state laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity when determining athletic eligibility.

Civil rights attorney Sarah Perry weighed in on the situation, pointing out that Maine’s defiance not only challenges Trump’s order but also disregards directives from the Department of Education and legal precedent set by previous Title IX cases. Perry warned that states like Maine risk federal investigations and potential consequences for non-compliance with Trump’s demands.

As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Maine will navigate the intersection of state laws, federal regulations, and the rights of transgender athletes. The governor’s office was contacted for comment but has not responded, leaving the situation unresolved and open to further scrutiny.