In a tense exchange today with Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, President Donald Trump threatened to strip Maine of its federal funding if the state refuses to comply with his executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
“I understand Maine — is Maine here, the governor of Maine?” Trump said addressing Republican and Democratic governors in the State Dining Room in the White House.
“Yeah, I’m here,” Mills said.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump said.
“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Mills said.
“Well, we are the federal law,” Trump said. “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. 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, any federal funding,” the president said.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris carried more than 52% of the vote in Maine, winning three of its four electoral votes.
Mills responded: “See you in court.”
“Good, I’ll see you in court, I look forward to that,” Trump said. “That should be a real easy one.
“And enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
Some background: Trump’s executive order argues that under Title IX, “educational institutions receiving Federal funds cannot deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports.”
In response to the president’s threat: Mills later issued a statement. “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,” she said. “The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President’s threats.”
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