Within a few hours main Gov. Janet Mills stands openly against the president Donald Trump He tried to comply with his administration’s ban in the White House after he tried to bully her. Transgender Women’s Sports athletes, the U.S. Department of Education, which Trump has vowed to eliminate, have launched a federal investigation into state Title IX compliance.
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On Friday afternoon, the Civil Rights Office notified Maine Education Commissioner Pendermakin that it had begun an investigation into the Maine Department of Education and Maine School District #51. The probe focuses on state policies that allow trans students to compete in schools. Sportsclaims that OCR could violate Title IX protection for women’s sports, according to the department press release.
Related: Maine Governor Janet Mills stands up to Donald Trump in his face over anti-trans sports orders at the White House
The move comes after Mills stood up to Trump at the National Governors’ Association meeting on Friday morning. Trump picked up Mills at a televised press conference to ban Maine from risking transgender athletes competing in girls and women’s sports or losing federal funds. They requested that they comply.
“I comply with state and federal laws,” replied Mills.
Then Trump said, “Well – I – we’re federal law, because otherwise we won’t get federal funds.”
Frankly, Mills replied: “We will meet you in court.”
Hours later, the governor’s office issued a press release in response to the newly released investigation. Mills blamed the probe Political Retaliation, warning Trump will use federal power to punish states who refuse to comply with his agenda.
“A Republican or Democrat president cannot withhold federal funds approved and approved by Congress and paid by Maine taxpayers and attempt to force someone to comply with his will.” said Mills. “It’s a violation of our constitution and our laws, and I have taken a pledge to support it.”
Related: Donald Trump bans trans athletes from playing sports
She warned that Maine was just her first target.
“Who does he target and what? Is it you? Is it because of your race or your religion? Is it because you look different or think differently? Where does it end? Do you have it?” Mills asked.
She said, “In America, a president is not a king or a dictator.
LGBTQ+ Supporters condemned the administration’s actions.
Glsen Executive Director Melanie Willingham Jaguars accused the Trump administration of using federal agencies to intimidate states that support transgender inclusion.
“A month after his administration, Donald Trump began weaponizing governments to schools, states and students,” Willingham Jaguars said. Supporters In a statement. “Transgender students have the rights, and federal courts have repeatedly admitted that exclusion for student-athletes violates the law. Trump’s attempts to intimidate national leaders will not change that. , federal funds should not be used as negotiation tips to weaken civil rights protections.”
“We praised Mills for standing up to this inappropriate pressure and standing in the law,” Willingham Jaguars said.
Human Rights Campaign He also praised her actions and expressed solidarity.
“Government Mills is standing up for all the main students. HRC is standing up with Government Mills,” said Sam Lau, spokesman for the HRC. Supporter.
Earlier that day, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey vowed to fight a potential court investigation, “an illegal and politically motivated attempt” to force the nation to discriminate. I called it.
“Fortunately, the rule of law still applies to this country. I will do everything in my power to protect Maine’s laws and to stop the president’s efforts to bully and threaten him,” Frey said. said.
The White House and the US Department of Education did not respond Supporters Request a comment.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with additional reports.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
