Maine House speaker deletes X account after censuring Rep. Laurel Libby

Ryan Fecteau, the Maine House of Representatives’ Democratic speaker, made headlines early Thursday morning when he deleted his X account, just days after censuring Republican Rep. Laurel Libby. The censure came after Libby posted on social media about a transgender high school athlete winning a girls’ competition, leading to a 75-70 vote to revoke her speaking and voting privileges.

During a hearing, Fecteau stated that Libby’s rights would only be restored if she apologized, but she stood her ground and refused to do so. In a surprising turn of events, it was discovered that Fecteau had deactivated his X account less than 48 hours after the censure resolution was passed.

Libby wasted no time in pointing out Fecteau’s actions, sharing a screenshot of his deleted account page with a scathing caption that accused him of silencing the voices of the people. Despite reaching out for comment, Fox News Digital has yet to hear back from Fecteau regarding the situation.

While Fecteau’s Facebook and Bluesky accounts remain active, he has not addressed the controversy surrounding Libby or the deactivation of his X account. Comment sections on his other social media platforms have been flooded with criticism from individuals questioning his decision to censure Libby.

Fecteau, who became Maine’s House speaker in 2020 at the age of 28, is the first openly gay person to hold the position in the state. The recent events have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many questioning the motives behind Fecteau’s actions.

The censure of Libby stemmed from her social media post highlighting a transgender athlete who had won a girls’ competition. Despite facing backlash, Libby defended her post, arguing that the athlete had competed in a public event and deserved recognition.

The controversy surrounding the transgender athlete has brought national attention to Maine’s policies on trans inclusion in sports. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on “No Men in Women’s Sports” has further fueled the debate, with Maine refusing to comply and facing threats of funding cuts.

As the situation continues to unfold, the U.S. Department of Education has announced an investigation into Maine’s policies on transgender athletes and potential Title IX violations. The clash between federal and state authorities has further escalated tensions, with both sides standing firm on their positions.

In the midst of this political turmoil, the voices of constituents and lawmakers alike are being scrutinized, raising questions about freedom of speech and the right to express differing opinions. The controversy surrounding Libby and Fecteau serves as a reminder of the complex issues at play in today’s political landscape.