President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Maine’s federal funding over policies allowing transgender kids to participate in scholastic sports on Thursday, prompting strong reactions from political figures here.
During a speech before the Republican Governors Association in Washington, Trump asked if anyone in the room was from Maine before attacking the state over its policies. They are guided by the Maine Human Rights Act, which bars discrimination based on gender identity.
“So we’re not going to give them any federal funding — none whatsoever — until they clean that up,” he said.
It followed unprecedented calls from Maine lawmakers for the federal government to rescind funding to Maine schools over the policies. A social media post from Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, that identified a high school athlete as transgender took off on conservative media and drew condemnations from Democrats including House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford.
We are following the fallout throughout Friday. See below for updates.
