During a February 21 meeting, Donald Trump pressured Maine Governor Janet Mills to enforce his ban on transgender women in women’s sports or risk losing federal funding. When Mills said, “I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Trump insisted, “We are federal law, you better do it.” Mills fired back, “We’ll see you in court,” to which Trump replied, “Good… Enjoy your life after, governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

Before the meeting, Mills vowed Maine “will not be intimidated” and threatened legal action if funding was cut. Attorney General Aaron Frey called Trump’s demand illegal and pledged to defend state laws.

The U.S. Department of Education has since launched an investigation into Maine’s policies, putting $250 million in federal school funding at risk.

This confrontation highlights broader tensions between Democratic governors and the Trump administration over LGBTQ+ rights and federal authority.