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A tense confrontation unfolded Friday between President Donald Trump and a Democratic governor over his executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The governor, opposing the directive, issued a sharp warning to Trump: “See you in court.”
President Donald Trump, addressing the country’s governors in a televised speech from the White House, took the opportunity to discuss his executive order from earlier this month—a decision that has ignited political tensions.
“Two weeks ago I signed an executive order banning men from playing in women’s sports. Many Democrats are fighting me on that, I hope you continue because you’ll never win another race,” he said.
The ban is “to protect women,” he claimed.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” he asked Janet Mills, governor of the northeastern state of Maine.
“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Mills responded.
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“Well, we are the federal law… You better do it, because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t,” the president said.
“See you in court,” she responded.
“Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics,” a visibly angry Trump replied.
Trump’s order allows US government agencies to deny funds to schools that allow transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams.
Some Maine officials have said they will continue a policy of allowing transgender students to choose which team they play on, citing state law under the Maine Human Rights Act, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Mills and the state’s attorney general have vowed to fight any move to deny the state federal funds, the newspaper reported.
