Trump was addressing Democratic and Republican governors in the State Dining Room at the White House on Friday when he mentioned his recent executive order banning trans athletes from playing women’s sports. He then called on Maine’s governor and asked her if the state will comply, prompting Mills to object.
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Trump vs Maine Governor
Trump then questioned whether she intended to comply with his order. I’m complying with state and federal laws,” she replied pointedly. Trump insisted that “we are the federal law” and warned that Maine could lose federal funding if it did not follow his directive.
“You better comply, you better comply, because, otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding,” he said. Mills didn’t back down. “See you in court,” she shot back. Trump responded, “Good. I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” Then, after a pause, he added, “And enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”ALSO READ: What is HKU5-CoV-2, the new bat coronavirus in China that could trigger another Covid-19 pandemic? All details
The confrontation left an impression on those in the room. Hawaii governor Josh Green, a Democrat, noted that several governors found the exchange unsettling. “It seemed it was a little bit harsh – and it wasn’t yelling, but it was unnecessary conflict,” he said.
Trump bans transgenders athletes from women sports
Trump frequently railed against transgender athletes while on the campaign trail. His recently signed executive order has been praised by supporters saying it will restore fairness, but critics say the directive infringes on the rights of a tiny minority of athletes.
Trump is relying on the federal Education Department to achieve the directive’s goal through a revised interpretation of federal civil rights laws, according to Reuters. Schools that do not follow these laws can lose federal funding.
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Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order that prevents transgender women from competing in female categories of sports. The order provides guidance, regulations and legal interpretations, and it will enlist the Department of Education to investigate high schools thought to be non-compliant.
Republicans say it restores fairness to sports but LGBT advocacy and human rights organisations have described the move as discriminatory. The order, which goes into effect immediately, largely covers high school, universities and grassroots sports. A number of sporting governing bodies, including swimming, athletics and golf, have banned transgender women from competing in the female category at elite level if they have gone through male puberty.
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The Maine Principal’s Association said two weeks ago it would continue to allow transgender girl and women athletes to compete despite Trump’s order. Shortly after Friday’s confrontation, the Education Department said in a press release its civil rights office is launching an investigation of the Maine Department of Education over potential violations of Title IX, which protects against sex discrimination in education.
The investigation will examine allegations the Maine DOE “continues to allow male athletes to compete in girls’ interscholastic athletics” and that it has “denied female athletes female-only intimate facilities, thereby violating federal antidiscrimination law.”
(With Reuters inputs)
