Time for Courage is Now
In a time when political courage is increasingly rare, Maine’s Governor Janet Mills stands as a powerful reminder of what true patriotism looks like. In a meeting called by Donald Trump—a room filled with governors from across the nation—Governor Mills faced down not just a political bully, but a man intent on using fear, humiliation, and threats to bend the will of those who are supposed to serve the people, not power.
In that charged room, Trump publicly belittled and threatened her. Many watched in silence, their inaction speaking volumes. But Mills did not back down. With clarity and strength, she stood for the foundational principles of the United States: the rule of law and the Constitution. Her response was simple, direct, and unwavering: *"See you in court."*
That moment should have been a rallying cry. It should have inspired the others in that room—those entrusted with protecting their states and upholding the democratic values that define this nation—to rise alongside her. But instead, the silence was deafening. The lack of pushback from other governors didn’t just isolate Mills; it left her vulnerable. And in doing so, it exposed the troubling truth of our political climate: courage is being punished, and cowardice is being rewarded with safety, at least in the short term.
Governor Mills’ defiance wasn’t just an act of personal bravery—it was a defense of every citizen’s right to live under a government of laws, not the whims of authoritarian power. Yet her isolation raises a question we cannot ignore: *When will courage come from the others?* When will those who hold power find the resolve to stand, not just when it is easy, but when it truly matters?
This isn’t just about one governor or one moment. It’s about the health of democracy itself. Every time a leader like Mills stands alone, it emboldens those who seek to erode the very foundations of this country. But every time others join in that stand, it becomes harder for authoritarianism to gain ground.
Governor Janet Mills has shown us what leadership looks like. The question now is: who will stand with her before it’s too late?
Her example is not just one of courage—it’s a call to action for every leader, every citizen, and every institution that claims to uphold the values of democracy. Silence is complicity. The time for courage is now.