President Donald Trump was called out after reviving his feud with Maine Governor Janet Mills, demanding a "full-throated apology" after she pushed back last month against his executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.
Last month, while discussing the order he'd signed on the issue, Trump threatened Mills after she said she would only comply with "state and federal laws," saying he'd deny federal funding for her state:
"We are the federal law and you better do it otherwise you're not getting any federal funding at all if you don't."
"By the way, your population, even though it's somewhat liberal, I did very well there, and your population does not want men playing in women's sports. You better comply because otherwise you're not getting any federal funding."
When Mills said she'd "see you in court," Trump suggested strong-arming her "should be a real easy one," as you can see in the video below.
Trump once again had Mills on his mind over the weekend when he attacked her in a post on Truth Social demanding she apologize:
“While the State of Maine has apologized for their Governor’s strong, but totally incorrect, statement about men playing in women’s sports while at the White House House Governor’s Conference, we have not heard from the Governor herself, and she is the one that matters in such cases."
"Therefore, we need a full throated apology from the Governor herself, and a statement that she will never make such an unlawful challenge to the Federal Government again, before this case can be settled. I'm sure she will be able to do that quite easily."
"Thank you for your attention to this matter, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
You can see his post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
It was unclear which apology from the state of Maine Trump was referring to or what specific case was being resolved. The White House declined to comment on his statement or clarify any potential consequences for the governor and the state if an apology was not issued.
But Mills nonetheless responded, saying the following to reporters in Bangor:
"My issue is about the rule of law, pure and simple. It's not about transgender sports; it's about who makes the laws and who enforces the laws. I read the Constitution."
"The Constitution says that the president, the chief executive, shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. It doesn't allow him to make laws out of whole cloth by tweet or Instagram post or press release or executive order."
Many have criticized Trump as a result.
Trump’s latest remarks follow a recent ruling by his administration that found Maine in violation of the updated Title IX law. The state was given until March 27 to reverse its policy allowing transgender student athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports or risk action from the Justice Department.
Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) temporarily halted funding to the University of Maine System (UMS) amid the dispute. However, after a USDA review determined UMS was in compliance with Title IX, the funding was reinstated.
The university was among several institutions under review by the Education Department for Title IX compliance, alongside the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.
