Trump vs. Maine Governor: Transgender sports ban sparks legal showdown
Kumar Shivam | Feb 22, 2025, 01:49 IST
( Image credit : PTI )
President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills clashed over Trump’s executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports, threatening to withhold federal funds. Mills refused to comply, citing state laws, and vowed legal action. The confrontation sets the stage for a court battle as Maine challenges the federal mandate on transgender athletes.
A heated exchange unfolded Friday between President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills over Trump's recent executive order barring transgender women from participating in women’s sports. The order threatens to cut federal funding to states that do not comply, sparking resistance from Maine’s leadership.
During a National Governors Association meeting at the White House, Trump directly confronted Mills, questioning whether her state would enforce the ban. "Are you not going to comply with it?" he asked after identifying her in the audience.
Mills responded, "I'm going to comply with state and federal law."
"We are the federal law," Trump retorted. "You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't. 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."
Mills held her ground, replying, "We're going to follow the law, sir. We'll see you in court."
Trump fired back with a parting shot: "Enjoy your life after, governor, because I don't think you'll be an elected official afterwards."
The confrontation came in response to Maine’s refusal to implement the policy. The Maine Principals' Association, which oversees high school athletics, announced it would not comply, citing state anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender individuals.
Trump's executive order, signed on February 5, directs the Department of Education to enforce Title IX regulations ensuring that women’s sports are exclusively for women. The move follows a broader Republican push during the 2024 election to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in female sports categories.
While NCAA President Charlie Baker stated that the organization would take necessary steps to comply, Maine has remained defiant at the high school level.
Trump doubled down on his stance during remarks at the Republican Governors Association meeting on Thursday night. "I heard men are still playing in Maine. Is anybody here from Maine?" he said. "Well, I hate to tell you this, but we’re not going to give them any federal money."
In response, Mills issued a firm statement rejecting the president’s threats. "The state of Maine will not be intimidated," she declared. "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 showdown sets the stage for a potential legal battle as Maine pushes back against the federal mandate.
During a National Governors Association meeting at the White House, Trump directly confronted Mills, questioning whether her state would enforce the ban. "Are you not going to comply with it?" he asked after identifying her in the audience.
Mills responded, "I'm going to comply with state and federal law."
"We are the federal law," Trump retorted. "You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't. 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."
Mills held her ground, replying, "We're going to follow the law, sir. We'll see you in court."
Trump fired back with a parting shot: "Enjoy your life after, governor, because I don't think you'll be an elected official afterwards."
The confrontation came in response to Maine’s refusal to implement the policy. The Maine Principals' Association, which oversees high school athletics, announced it would not comply, citing state anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender individuals.
Trump's executive order, signed on February 5, directs the Department of Education to enforce Title IX regulations ensuring that women’s sports are exclusively for women. The move follows a broader Republican push during the 2024 election to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in female sports categories.
While NCAA President Charlie Baker stated that the organization would take necessary steps to comply, Maine has remained defiant at the high school level.
Trump doubled down on his stance during remarks at the Republican Governors Association meeting on Thursday night. "I heard men are still playing in Maine. Is anybody here from Maine?" he said. "Well, I hate to tell you this, but we’re not going to give them any federal money."
In response, Mills issued a firm statement rejecting the president’s threats. "The state of Maine will not be intimidated," she declared. "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 showdown sets the stage for a potential legal battle as Maine pushes back against the federal mandate.