Warning: This article contains discussion of trans issues which some readers may find distressing.
Donald Trump threatened the Democratic governor of Maine to her face during a meeting with governors at the White House on Friday (21 February).
The President of the United States, 78, told Maine Governor Janet Mills that she must comply with his executive order which bans transgender women and girls from women’s sport.
He said that if she doesn’t, she will risk losing federal funding.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump asked the 75th governor of Maine.
“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” the 77-year-old responded.
That’s when the American businessman threatened: “We are federal law, you better do it.
“You better do it, because you’re not going to get federal funding… Your population doesn’t want men in women’s sports.”
“We’ll see you in court,” Mills replied.
Donald Trump threatened the Democratic governor of Maine (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Good. I’ll see you in court. I’ll look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” Trump said. “And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
Prior to the meeting, Mills said Maine ‘will not be intimidated by the president’s threats.’
“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,” Mills said (via The Independent).
Meanwhile, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said that Trump’s attempt to cut federal funding ‘would be illegal and in direct violation of federal court orders’.
Maine Governor Janet Mills challenged President Trump over trans women in sports (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Fortunately, the rule of law still applies in this country, and I will do everything in my power to defend Maine’s laws and block efforts by the president to bully and threaten us.” Frey said.
This comes after acting Education Secretary for civil rights Craig Trainor said Maine is being investigated for alleged Title IX violations, which are actions that discriminate against people based on their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
“Maine would have you believe that it has no choice in how it treats women and girls in athletics — that is, that it must follow its state laws and allow male athletes to compete against women and girls,” Trainor said in a statement.
“Let me be clear: If Maine wants to continue to receive federal funds from the Education Department, it has to follow Title IX. If it wants to forgo federal funds and continue to trample the rights of its young female athletes, that, too, is its choice.”
According to PBS, earlier this month, the Maine Principal’s Association said it would continue to allow transgender female athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Their executive director, Mike Burnham, said that they would be following the Maine Human Rights Act, which goes against discrimination based on gender identity.
Mills said she’d be working alongside the general attorney in defence of Maine in court, however, she added in her statement: “But do not be misled: this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot.”
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