Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
EXCLUSIVE: The U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi are backing Maine state Representative Laurel Libby as she aims to overturn her censure in the state legislature. This censure arose after a social media post by Libby identified a transgender high school athlete following a girls’ pole vault competition earlier this year.
Since February, Libby has faced censure from the Democrat-led state majority, which stripped her of voting and speaking rights. This action followed her decision to publicly criticize transgender participation in women’s sports, igniting a heated debate across the state.
In her pursuit of justice, Libby has filed a lawsuit seeking intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court. Both a district judge and the appellate court have ruled against her, prompting this appeal.
The DOJ has filed an amicus brief supporting Libby, and Bondi has made a public statement in favor of the Republican lawmaker. She emphasized the importance of protecting girls in sports, asserting that Libby is being targeted for championing their rights in Maine.
“The Department of Justice stands firmly with Rep. Libby, fighting for girls in Maine who deserve fair competition in sports,” Bondi declared. She further reiterated that the lawsuit exemplifies their commitment to safeguarding girls’ spaces from what she termed radical gender ideology.
The amicus brief presents a compelling argument that Libby’s censure breaches the Equal Protection Clause, which guarantees a citizen’s right to vote. According to this document, stripping her of rights due to a personal stance undermines the democratic process.
“Removing the representation of District 90’s voters based on their representative’s refusal to apologize goes beyond acceptable punitive measures,” the brief articulates.
Additionally, Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, has voiced support for Libby. In her remarks, Dhillon criticized the Maine House Speaker for limiting Libby’s expression by demanding an apology regarding her position on transgender athletes in women’s sports, calling such actions unconstitutional.
Focusing on Libby’s resilience, she has asserted that she will not retract her social media post. She contends that the conversation surrounding the athlete has already been public, citing a prior article from the Portland Press Herald covering the event.
Libby’s lawsuit identifies Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and House Clerk Robert Hunt as defendants, with representation from Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey.
In a recent response, Fecteau, Hunt, and Frey defended the decision to censure Libby, claiming that their actions align with established rules governing House proceedings. They stipulated that the censure required Libby to apologize for her conduct while not obliging her to renounce her beliefs. Their statement highlights how her refusal to comply places her at odds with long-standing rules.
“Like previous censures of Maine House members, this resolution sought to have Rep. Libby seek amends to uphold the integrity of the House,” they stated.
The political landscape in Maine has become notably contentious regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Governor Janet Mills and the state’s Democrats have relentlessly opposed efforts led by former President Trump to implement his policies banning transgender women from competing in female categories in sports.
As the situation unfolds, Bondi and the DOJ are embroiled in a direct lawsuit against Maine over this critical issue. Libby was present during the press conference that announced this legal action back in April, demonstrating her commitment to the cause.
A recent survey conducted by the American Parents Coalition revealed significant public support for restricting sports participation based on biological sex. Among approximately 600 registered Maine voters, 63% are in favor of such measures, and 66% believe it is fair to limit women’s sports to individuals designated as female at birth.
Moreover, the poll indicated that 60% of respondents would endorse a ballot measure to limit participation in women’s and girls’ sports to biological females. This sentiment is echoed by 64% of independent voters and 66% of parents with children under 18 years old.
Keep an eye on the evolving story surrounding Rep. Laurel Libby and the ongoing battle over transgender participation in sports. Follow updates on this significant issue as it develops.
