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EXCLUSIVE: Internal emails obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Maine’s Department of Education and its Commissioner Pender Makin took a firm stance against President Donald Trump’s executive orders regarding public education. These memos were sent to every school district across the state, highlighting growing tensions between state education authorities and federal directives.
The beginning of Trump’s second term was marked by a widely publicized conflict with Maine Governor Janet Mills over legislation concerning transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
In a memo dated January 28, Makin informed superintendents that ongoing executive orders from Washington could sow confusion in schools. She stated, “Dear Champions of Education, as executive orders continue to flow out of DC, there is increasing misinformation, disinformation, and confusion impacting our schools,” underscoring her concerns about their implications for local policies.
Makin encouraged adherence to the Maine Human Rights Act and local school board policies, asserting that neither state law nor local regulations would be undermined by federal orders. She noted, “Most of the executive orders pertain to federal agencies and federal laws over which the Maine Department of Education has no authority.” This clear stance supports Maine’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity in education.
Two days later, Makin communicated with Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster. In their discussion, she drafted a memo advising schools to resist compliance with Trump’s executive order, titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” Makin emphasized that this executive order did not impact Maine’s school operations and reiterated the state’s own legal obligations.
She advised that Maine schools should continue following state laws and local policies, stating that, “the Executive Order does not alter the obligations of schools under state law, including the Maine Human Rights Act, and does not require any immediate changes to locally adopted school board policies.” This message signaled the state’s determination to uphold its educational principles in the face of federal pressure.
In a significant move, Maine’s educational institutions continued operations under local governance and regulations despite Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order, issued on February 5. This defiance became evident when a transgender athlete from Greely High School won first place in the girls’ pole vault state championship on February 17, igniting outrage and discussions statewide.
In response to the win, Presque Isle High School track athlete Hailey Himes expressed disappointment, stating, “I watched this male pole vaulter stand on the podium and we were all just like looking we were like ‘We’re pretty sure that’s not a girl.'” Himes articulated feelings shared by others, emphasizing that the triumph was deeply disheartening for non-winning female athletes.
As this situation unfolded, Maine garnered national attention. An email exchange on February 19 between members of the Maine Principal’s Association referenced Makin’s directive to follow the Maine Human Rights Act, further underscoring the existing discord between state-level policy and federal mandates.
President Trump, on February 20, publicly criticized Maine for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports, threatening to withdraw federal funding if the state did not comply with his executive orders. The following day, when Mills reiterated her opposition to his directives, Trump confronted her directly during a bipartisan meeting, highlighting the stakes for Maine’s education funding.
Later, on February 21, amidst the national discourse surrounding these issues, Makin sent an internal email detailing the state’s plan to resist the president’s threats. She asserted, “There are many congressional barriers and checks and balances of government that should prevent the president from acting on his statement,” reinforcing her commitment to maintain the state’s educational policies.
On that same day, MSAD #51’s superintendent reached out to Makin to inquire about potential changes in policy to align with Trump’s executive order, but the response to this request remains classified due to a public records request.
By the end of February, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to initiate a Title IX investigation against Maine, reflecting the increasing scrutiny on the state’s educational practices concerning transgender athletes.
As the situation compounded, Makin found herself engaged in a series of communications with key education figures in Maine. An employee from Freeport High School reached out, seeking reassurance from the Department of Education on support for schools targeted by investigations for allegedly promoting divisive ideologies.
This ongoing crisis not only affected student experiences but also reverberated through Maine’s political landscape. The controversy surrounding the state policies prompted censure against GOP state Rep. Laurel Libby, who advocated for the rights of girls in sports. Libby’s subsequent lawsuit reached the Supreme Court, resulting in the restoration of her voting rights.
On June 8, Libby and the Maine Attorney General’s office agreed to drop the lawsuit regarding her censure after her rights were reinstated. In her statement, she emphasized that while the case may be deemed moot, it was a victory for her constituents whose rights had to be acknowledged.
As debates continued, protests emerged across Maine, with advocates rallying for a resolution to protect the integrity of girls’ sports. Demonstrators included young female athletes, echoing sentiments shared by many Mainers that sports participation should reflect biological gender.
A recent survey by the American Parents Coalition found considerable support among Maine residents for policies governing participation in girls’ sports based on biological sex. The survey indicated that approximately 63% of respondents favored limiting sports to biological females, signifying a significant public sentiment against the current educational directives.
Advocates for parental rights in education argue that the current leadership, captured by activists, prioritizes ideology over student welfare. Casey Ryan from Defending Education remarked that the educational environment in Maine reflects troubling ideological commitments overshadowing the interests of student athletes.
As Maine navigates the ongoing conflict with the federal government, the repercussions of Makin’s initial resistance to Trump’s directives remain to be fully seen. The upcoming trial date with the Department of Justice and impending fall sports season only add further complexity to an already contentious landscape in Maine education, illustrating profound implications for the state’s political climate.
As tensions escalate and public sentiment shifts, the future of sports policies in Maine remains uncertain. The decisions made today could reshape the dialogue in upcoming elections and influence the direction of education in the state.
