A school board meeting in Maine’s capital turned tense on Wednesday when a parent was cut off multiple times while speaking out against the state’s stance on transgender athletes in girls’ sports.

Nick Blanchard, a local resident, wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat and a shirt featuring Maine Governor Janet Mills with the phrase “You’re fired” during his remarks.

Blanchard addressed the Augusta School Board to express support for reverting to the Trump administration’s 2020 interpretation of Title IX, which prohibited biological males from competing in female athletic categories.

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He also introduced a petition seeking the removal of Cony Middle and High School Principal Kim Liscomb.

Liscomb currently serves as the president of the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), an organization that supports allowing student athletes to compete based on gender identity.

The MPA has continued to back policies that permit transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports, a stance that conflicts with recent federal scrutiny and the position held by many conservatives.

During the meeting, Blanchard began by thanking the six Augusta School Board members who voted in favor of reinstating the 2020 Title IX guidance.

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However, he also criticized the lone board member who voted against the measure.

“Good job and thank you to the six members that voted to go back to the 2020 interpretation of Title IX, and shame on the one board member that voted no,” Blanchard said.

His comments prompted Augusta School Board Chair Martha Witham to intervene.

“I’m sorry, but negative comments will not be allowed,” Witham said, interrupting his remarks.

Blanchard attempted to move forward with presenting his petition, which asked the school board to hold a vote on whether to remove Liscomb from her position.

He began, “This petition is asking … if you, the school board members, will put up a vote,” but was again cut off by Witham, who said the comments were “defamatory.”

When Blanchard asked what part of his statement was defamatory, Witham declined to elaborate, stating, “I don’t have to explain that.”

She continued, “These comments will not be tolerated at the meeting directed toward us or to anybody else in this room.”

Blanchard tried to continue without naming Liscomb directly.

“So, as most of you know, someone who is the president of the Maine Principals’ Association—” he began, before being cut off again.

“Nope, close enough. I’m sorry, you’re done, Mr. Blanchard,” Witham said, instructing him to leave the podium.

As Blanchard stepped away, he called out, “Communist China right here!”

“Communist China right here.”

Augusta school board chair Martha Witham egregiously shuts down public comment critical of men competing in women’s sports. pic.twitter.com/shtsbWGrbh

— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) April 10, 2025

The meeting came as Maine faces increasing federal scrutiny over its policies on transgender athletes.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture froze funding to the state.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services referred the Maine Department of Education, the MPA, and Greely High School to the Department of Justice for review.

According to Fox News, the U.S. Department of Education has issued a deadline of Friday for Maine to revise its current policies or face further legal action.

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