A few weeks ago, when Gov. Janet Mills told President Donald Trump she would “see him in court,” it was a proud day to be a Mainer.

In retaliation for our governor’s courageous words of defiance, the Trump administration sicced multiple federal agencies on Maine to withdraw, or threaten to withdraw, millions of dollars in funding over “prospective” civil rights violations. On the surface, this offensive is an attempt to strong-arm Maine into submission for having the audacity to make school athletics inclusive for all students.

But never mind the perverted insanity of Republicans’ obsession with transgender children. The Trump administration’s full-court press on Maine is an unconstitutional attempt to strip us of our state’s rights. To see it as anything else is a perilous mistake.

In sending his attack dogs to Maine, Trump’s message to all states should be clear: Bend to my will, or else. If Maine capitulates, it will set a dangerous precedent for the president to nullify any state’s laws at will.

Whatever our views on the issue that started this rumble Downeast, I urge all of Maine’s elected officials, school and agency administrators, and private citizens to do everything in their power to fight this unlawful overreach of the federal government.

Our state motto, “Dirigo,” means “I lead.” I can’t think of a more important time in American history to do so.

David Weliver
Cumberland