Maine Gov. Janet Mills targeted by recall petition amid transgender sports dispute

One of the campaign promises Donald Trump has been working to keep in the first weeks of his new administration is to remove biological males from girls' and women's sports, and in doing so, he has drawn the ire of numerous politicians on the left.

Among the more vocal liberals in opposition to Trump's recent executive order on the controversial subject is Maine Gov. Janet Mills, whose publicly defiant stance has spurred a recall petition in her home state that has already garnered more than 22,000 signatures, as Fox News reports.

Mills, Trump spar in public

Last Monday, during an event held at the White House, Mills and Trump had a heated war of words on the subject of biological males competing against females in athletics.

Touting his administration's initiatives on the topic, Trump took a moment to single out Mills for her previously declared position in opposition to his recent executive order.

The president asked Mills directly whether she planned to comply with Title IX as now outlined by his administration.

Mills indicated that she would follow the law, a statement which prompted Trump to point out that if she defied his administration's regulations, Maine's receipt of federal funding would be in jeopardy.

“We'll see you in court,” Mills retorted, prompting Trump to suggest that he would welcome the chance to litigate the controversy.

Recall petition emerges

While Maine does often lean to the left on social issues, Mills may have overestimated the level of support she enjoys on this particular question, given that a recall effort against her is now underway.

As Fox News noted, Saturday morning saw a substantial protest against Mills unfold at the Maine State House, with a healthy number of protestors voicing their concerns about her continued leadership.

Julia Deitrick, a high school junior who has advocated against the inclusion of biological males in female-designated sports, spoke to the crowd about what she believes are the negative effects of the policies Mills supports.

“We have waited. We have spoken up. We have trusted those in power that they would protect the integrity of women's sports. But our patience has only been met with inaction, dismissal and policies that continue to erode the opportunities and fairness that female athletes deserve,” she said.

Now that more than 22,000 Mainers have lent their names to the Mills recall petition with the potential of many more yet to come, perhaps the governor will start heeding the voices of those she serves and moderating her stance accordingly.