President Donald Trump has once again wielded federal funds like a weapon—this time, targeting Maine. His administration first attempted to force new parents in the state to visit Social Security Administration offices to register their newborns, a bureaucratic hurdle that parents in other states could bypass with a simple hospital form. Now, he’s escalating his attacks, slashing millions in federal support for energy programs and research funding—all because state officials refused to bow to his demands to discriminate against trans individuals.
Trump has axed $15 million earmarked for energy efficiency and clean energy projects in Maine, a blow to both the state’s economy and its environmental efforts. On top of that, he’s pulling tens of millions of dollars from the state university system, funds that were designated for critical agricultural research. Why? Because Maine officials refused to violate both state laws and federal Title IX regulations by enacting discriminatory policies against a small group of trans individuals.
Rather than governing for all Americans, Trump continues to act out of spite, punishing those who don’t align with his personal agenda. His actions don’t just hurt policymakers; they affect families, students, researchers, and businesses that rely on these funds. Maine’s leaders, including Sen. Susan Collins, must decide whether to stand idly by or take a stand against these petty and harmful political games.
