In a March 26 letter “Trans athletes debate is a convenient distraction,” June Meuser of Portland explains how President Trump uses the debate over competition in girls’ sports to distract us from his “destructive economic policy.”

Trump is also using the debate to flex his muscles. Why is his administration meddling in the affairs of our state? Why is he dictating Maine school policy while claiming to be “turning education back over to the states”? Why is he demanding a “full-throated apology” from our governor?

He’s exercising his power, and one measure of that power is our willingness to hate on his behalf. There’s always someone or some group he insists is worthy of contempt — Muslims, Taylor Swift, immigrants (minus Elon Musk, and a couple of spouses), journalists (most), Jimmy Kimmel, American POWs, Ukrainians, Europeans, Canadians, “elites” (except himself, Musk and billionaire associates).

Our transgender friends and neighbors are his latest target and he’s bullying anyone who refuses to join in the hatred.

It’s cruel. And it’s vile. And we Mainers are better than that. Aren’t we?

Susan Farrar
Brunswick