‘See You in Court’: Maine Governor Clashes With Trump Over Trans Rights
Trump Administration
ADVERTISEMENT
We encourage you to review our updated Terms of Sale, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy. By continuing, you agree to the updated Terms listed here.
Trump’s exchange with Maine governor was a ‘win’ for the president, Hugh Hewitt says
‘Special Report’ panelists Charles Hurt, Leslie Marshall and Hugh Hewitt discuss multiple topics, including President Donald Trump’s fiery exchange with the Maine governor.
©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All market data delayed 20 minutes.
Live Now
Next Up
Delta flight crash lands, flips on runway at Toronto airport
Ex-Social Security official laughs at CNN host’s question about fraud
Chilean gang burglaries spread across US, prompting new warnings
Dash cam video shows car flying off California highway overpass
We all just want to see the ‘crap’ out of our food: MAHA mom
GOP Rep. Burchett clashes with CNN host over Trump, Musk cuts
Beachgoers encounter rare sea creature in Mexico
Trump claims Zelenskyy has a 4% approval rating in Ukraine
Delta CEO says President Trump’s FAA cuts will not impact airline safety
Gutfeld: Where did this CBS anchor go to school?
Passenger aboard Toronto plane crash records exit from downed aircraft
Alleged transgender cult members suspected in border agent’s murder
‘Incredibly surprised’: UK man arrested outside abortion clinic reacts to Vance’s free speech message
Gen. Keane: ‘Regrettable’ for Trump, Zelenskyy to criticize each other publicly
Argentina’s Javier Milei presents Elon Musk with DOGE chainsaw
Military vet now cancer-free after experimental treatment: ‘There is hope’
Elon Musk says saving taxpayer money comes down to ‘competence’ and ‘caring’
Experts concerned noise-canceling earphones could prompt auditory processing issues
‘I’m a doctor — this is the diet I follow for optimal health’
CNN found guilty of defamation, jury foreperson speaks out
The Governor Who Stood Up to Trump
The president sees himself as national king, and every other American—including Maine Governor Janet Mills—as one of his quavering subjects.
The Trump administration is enmeshed in a long and rapidly growing list of legal challenges to the novel powers it has claimed for itself. But to try to understand the situation in terms of the individual cases, and the legal questions they implicate, is to miss the forest for the trees. The larger picture is that Donald Trump refuses, or is simply unable, to grasp any distinction between the law and his own whims.
That conflation was on display once again today at a meeting of governors at the White House. As Trump lectured the audience on his executive order banning transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, he paused to single out Maine Governor Janet Mills.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” he demanded of her. “I’m complying with state and federal laws,” she replied. To this, Trump shot back, “We are the federal law.”
It is entirely possible that, if the state of Maine challenges the executive order, Trump will prevail legally. But what is important about this exchange is not whose interpretation of Title IX and the Administrative Procedure Act has a better chance to win five votes on the Supreme Court. It is that Trump is treating the law as coterminous with his own desires.
More Stories
Trump Says the Corrupt Part Out Loud
Trump Signals He Might Ignore the Courts
Get our guide to the day’s biggest news and ideas, delivered to your inbox every weekday and Sunday mornings. See more newsletters
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to The Atlantic’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Subscribe and support more than 160 years of independent journalism.
