Ahead of the meeting, Mills made it clear that Maine would not be intimidated by the president’s threats. She stated that if Trump attempted to strip federal funding from Maine schools, her administration, along with the attorney general, would take all necessary legal steps to restore that funding and protect the educational opportunities it provides.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey also denounced Trump’s move, calling it illegal and a direct violation of federal court rulings. He reaffirmed his commitment to defending Maine’s laws and resisting what he described as the president’s bullying tactics.

The dispute comes as Maine faces an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for alleged Title IX violations. Acting Education Secretary for civil rights Craig Trainor claimed that Maine is failing to uphold federal law by allowing transgender female athletes to compete in women’s sports.

“Maine would have you believe that it has no choice in how it treats women and girls in athletics—that is, that it must follow its state laws and allow male athletes to compete against women and girls,” Trainor said.

“Let me be clear: If Maine wants to continue to receive federal funds from the Education Department, it has to follow Title IX. If it wants to forgo federal funds and continue to trample the rights of its young female athletes, that, too, is its choice.”

Earlier this month, the Maine Principal’s Association reaffirmed its decision to permit transgender female athletes to compete in women’s sports, citing the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.

Mills, while preparing to defend Maine’s stance in court alongside the attorney general, emphasized that the issue extends beyond athletics. “But do not be misled: this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field. This is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot,” she stated.