President Donald Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills engaged in a heated confrontation at the White House today over transgender athletes in women's sports.
The clash occurred during a National Governors Association event, where Mills threatened legal action against the president.
"We will see you in court," the Democratic governor declared as she stood up to confront Trump, who had warned about withholding federal funding from Maine schools that allow transgender women to compete in female sports.
Trump signed an executive order earlier this month aimed at excluding transgender girls and women from female sports competitions.
Donald Trump directly addressed the Maine governor during the meeting
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The order threatens to cut off federal funding for any school that allows transgender women or girls to compete in female-designated sporting events.
Supporters say the directive will restore fairness in women's sports, whilst critics argue it infringes on the rights of a minority of athletes.
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The president specifically targeted Maine for non-compliance, threatening to withhold all federal education funding from the state.
The confrontation escalated when Trump directly addressed Mills during the White House State Dining Room meeting.
"Are you not going to comply with it?" Trump asked after locating Mills seated nearby.
Mills responded firmly: "I'm going to comply with state and federal law."
Donald Trump lashed out at the meeting
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"We are the federal law," Trump shot back, warning that Maine would lose all federal funding if it failed to comply.
The president added that Maine's population "doesn't want men playing in women's sports," despite what he called its "somewhat liberal" stance.
The Maine Principal's Association, which oversees high school sports in the state, has stated it will not comply with Trump's order, citing conflicts with state anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender people.
Prior to today's confrontation, Mills had issued a statement declaring that "the state of Maine will not be intimidated by the President's threats."
She further pledged that her administration and the Attorney General would take legal action to restore any federal funding if Trump attempted to withhold it from Maine schools.
Trump concluded the exchange with a direct political warning to Mills: "Enjoy your life after, governor, because I don't think you'll be an elected official afterwards."
The confrontation follows Trump's remarks at the Republican Governor's Association meeting yesterday, where he had already signalled his intent to target Maine.
"I heard men are still playing in Maine," Trump told the gathering. "Well, I hate to tell you this, but we're not going to give them any federal money."
