President Donald Trump clashed with Maine Governor Janet Mills at a White House meeting Friday over his threat to cut federal funding to the state for allowing transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
“We’ll see you in court,” Mills told Trump, who responded, “Good, I look forward to that. And enjoy your life after governor.”
The exchange broke the usual decorum at such meetings, following a day of barbs between the two. During his remarks, Trump called out Mills, asking if she would comply with his executive order.
“Is Maine here, the governor of Maine?” he asked.
“I’m here,” she replied.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” he asked.
“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Mills replied.
Trump responded, “We are the federal law.” He again threatened the state’s federal funding and said Maine may be a Democratic state but its residents largely agree with him on this issue.
“We’re going to follow the law,” she said.
“You’d better comply,” Trump warned. “Otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding.”
“We’ll see you in court,” the governor replied.
“Good, I’ll see you in court. I 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.”
Trump made a similar threat Thursday night as he spoke to a group of Republican governors. He said that he “heard men are still playing in Maine” and that he would pull funding because of it.
“So we’re not going to give them any federal funding. None whatsoever, until they clean that up,” Trump said.
Earlier, the Maine Principals’ Association reaffirmed its policy allowing transgender female athletes to compete, citing the Maine Human Rights Act. Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey vowed to fight Trump’s order, calling his threats intimidation and pledging legal action if federal funds were revoked.
Trump’s order gives federal agencies broad authority to enforce Title IX under his administration’s interpretation, defining “sex” as assigned at birth. Schools or athletic associations that don’t comply could face funding cuts.
