‘No sir, you are not’: Maine newspaper issues Trump civics lesson as he threatens state

Adam Nichols

Feb. 22, 2025, 9:23 p.m.

An editorial in a Maine newspaper took direct aim at Donald Trump Saturday after the president issued a direct threat to the state.

The Bangor Daily News’ editorial board issued its scathing putdown after Trump directed comments to the state’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, as she attended a White House luncheon Friday.

He hit out because Maine has refused to change laws regarding transgender athletes in student sports.

“You’d better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t,” he told her.

When she hit back with, “I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Trump told her, “We are the federal law.”

“No sir, you are not the federal law,” the newspaper schooled him.

“Congress, not the president, writes and amends the laws of the United States. Congress, not the president, allocates funding to federal agencies and programs. Federal courts are upholding these core tenets of our democracy as Trump seeks to undermine them.”

The editorial board had nothing but praise for Mills, and how she politely refused to back down to Trump’s attack.

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“The governor’s message was simple: Maine will follow the law,” the board wrote.

“She didn’t get into her personal feelings about transgender athletes or any other American. Because her personal feelings don’t matter. The governor, like the president, is responsible for upholding laws that protect the rights of all Mainers and all Americans.”

Trump signed an executive order in his first few days in office that states federal funding will be withheld from states that allow trans girls in women’s sports. The Maine Principals’ Association stated it would not change its policies, based on the Maine Human Rights Act.

The legality of Trump’s order is being challenged in court.

“The president of the United States is threatening to withhold federal funding to Maine so he and his supporters can punish, demean, and dehumanize a tiny number of girls,” the editors wrote.

“But that wasn’t enough. Trump also took a personal swipe at Mills, a Democrat.

“He said she’d better enjoy her retirement because “I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.” Mills, who is 77, has not said if she plans to run for other elected offices. She was the first female district attorney in New England, the first female attorney general in Maine and the state’s first female governor. She was re-elected in 2022 by resoundingly defeating Trump-like former Republican Gov. Paul LePage.

"Trump’s threat to withhold funding is a very serious matter and it could really hurt Maine. But complying with this order would open the door to demands to comply with future orders that restrict Americans’ rights.”