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AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills refused Monday to take a stance on Maine’s policies governing transgender students’ participation in athletics that sparked her feud with President Donald Trump, saying the topic was “worthy of a debate” in the State House.
The Democratic governor made the comments after an annual Blaine House event celebrating the maple industry. It was the first time that Mills has spoken to reporters since Trump threatened Maine’s federal funding last month, sparking her sharp exchange with the president at a White House event and sweeping federal investigations of state institutions.
Mills’ ambiguous comments on the state’s policies were notable. She signed the 2021 law that led the Maine Principals’ Association to allow scholastic athletes to automatically participate under the gender they identify with. Republican lawmakers have submitted bills to overturn that, and there are signs that some Democrats agree with them on the issue.
“If [lawmakers] wish to change it, they have the authority to change it, but you don’t change it by executive order or by wishing it differently,” Mills said. “It’s worthy of a debate, a full, democratic debate.”
