In a highly charged meeting at the White House on February 21, 2025, President Donald Trump and a room full of governors
engaged in a tense debate over an executive order aimed at barring transgender women and girls from competing in women’s
sports. The discussion reached a boiling point when President Trump singled out Maine Governor Janet Mills, accusing her of
being the only state leader unwilling to comply with the new order. According to accounts from the meeting, Trump warned
that non-compliance could result in the withdrawal of federal funding from Maine, including funds allocated for schools
During the heated exchange, President Trump directly asked Governor Mills, “Are you not going to comply with it?” Governor
Mills replied firmly, “I’m complying with state and federal laws.” In response, the president warned, “We are federal law; you better do it.
