WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened Maine Governor Janet Mills with withholding federal funding over transgender athletes.

"Two weeks ago, I signed an executive order banning men from playing in women's sports. Many Democrats are fighting me on that," Trump told governors at the White House.

Trump asked Mills whether she is going to comply with the executive order.

"I’m complying with state and federal law," Mills responded.

In return, Trump said: "We are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't."

Trump said that population in Maine does not want men playing in women's sports.

"We'll see you in court," Mills confronted the president.

"Good. I'll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be an easy one. And enjoy your life after governor, because I don't think you'll be in elected politics," Trump responded.

Following the Trump's threat, Mills issued a written statement.

"If the President attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of Federal funding, my Administration and the Attorney General will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides.

"The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President's threats," she said.

Early February, Trump signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports” executive order, which intends to ban transgender women from competing in women's and girls' sports.

"With this executive order, the war on women's sports is over," he said.

"We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow men to beat up, injure and cheat our women and our girls. From now on, women’s sports will be only for women," Trump said.