Maine Governor Janet Mills issued a statement on Friday regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to investigate her state for permitting transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports, in opposition to a recent executive order by former President Donald Trump. In her statement, Mills implied that Trump’s investigation into potential Title IX violations in Maine signals a broader agenda to target individuals based on race or religion.
“Maine may be one of the first states to face an investigation by his administration, but we certainly won’t be the last. Today, the President has singled out a specific group over a specific issue that Maine law has already addressed. One must consider: who will he target next, and what actions will he take? Will it be you? Will it be based on your race or religion? Will it be due to your appearance or beliefs? Where does it stop? In America, the President is neither a king nor a dictator, despite attempts to act as such – and it is the rule of law that restrains him,” Mills stated.
She expressed skepticism about the outcome of what she views as a politically motivated investigation, stating, “My Administration will collaborate with the Attorney General to protect the interests of Maine residents in court. However, do not be misled: this issue extends beyond who can compete in sports; it concerns whether a President can impose his will without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot.”
Mills also asserted that Trump lacks the authority to withhold federal funding from Maine for its refusal to comply with his executive order banning transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports, which he threatened during a speech on Thursday. “No President – whether Republican or Democrat – can withhold federal funding authorized and appropriated by Congress, funded by Maine taxpayers, to coerce compliance with his will. This violates our Constitution and laws, which I am sworn to uphold,” Mills emphasized.
Maine is now the fourth state to face a Title IX investigation for defying Trump’s order, following California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. The Department of Education announced its investigations into these states after they declined to comply with the executive order. The situation escalated over two days of tension between Trump and Mills, beginning with Trump’s threat to cut funding to Maine for its noncompliance.
