Maine MAGA parent abruptly cut off during speech opposing inclusion of trans athletes in girls' sports

AUGUSTA, MAINE: A routine school board meeting in Augusta, Maine, on Wednesday, April 9, turned into a firestorm when a father in a "MAGA" hat was cut off mid-speech while criticizing the inclusion of transgender students in girls’ sports.

Nick Blanchard, a parent and vocal critic of current state policy, was stopped repeatedly by Augusta School Board chair Martha Witham as he attempted to address the board.

MAGA parent cut off at Maine school board meeting while speaking against inclusion of trans athletes

Nick Blanchard’s comments targeted both a local principal and Maine’s interpretation of Title IX, which allows trans athletes to compete based on gender identity. You can see the full footage here.

"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 began before Witham interrupted him, saying, "I'm sorry, but negative comments will not be allowed."

Blanchard went on, "This petition is asking … If you, the school board members, will put up a vote," but was quickly interrupted once again by Witham before he could finish his thought.

He tried to pivot, bringing up a petition calling for the removal of Cony Middle and High School principal Kim Liscomb, who also happens to be the president of the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA). When Blanchard pressed on, Witham warned she would eject him if he kept making what she called "defamatory remarks."

When Blanchard asked for clarification on why his comments were being called "defamatory," Witham shot back, "I don't have to explain it to you," adding, "These comments will not be tolerated at the meeting directed toward us or to anybody else in this room." 

Blanchard agreed to continue his remarks, leaving Liscomb’s name out of it. He said, "So, as most of you know, someone who is the president of the Maine Principals' Association...," but before he could finish his thought, Witham cut him off once more, this time, putting a stop to it for good.

"Nope, close enough. I'm sorry, you're done, Mr Blanchard," Witham said. As he walked away, Blanchard shouted, "Communist China right here!"

Augusta School Board says Nick Blanchard was removed for breaking meeting rules and not for his views

The school district later defended the decision, insisting Nick Blanchard wasn’t removed for what he said but how he said it. 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Augusta School Board explained, "As far as the person excused from the podium at the meeting, there are rules regarding public participation at school Board meetings which the community member violated, and he was asked to remove himself from the podium."

Blanchard’s petition, which targeted Liscomb for her leadership role in the MPA, was also addressed by the district. Officials emphasized that the MPA president’s position is ceremonial and temporary, with Liscomb’s term ending in less than three months. They stressed she has no individual authority to set or change statewide sports policies.

"The Augusta School Department has not received any petition requesting resignations or termination actions against any employees. What we are witnessing appears to be national partisan politics manifesting in local government/school affairs," the statement continued.

It added, "We value community voices and concerns, but there seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding regarding appropriate channels for policy change. For instance, the President of the Maine Principals' Association serves in a rotating figurehead capacity (with her term ending in 2.5 months)."

"While this is certainly a respected position, the MPA President lacks unilateral authority to modify Transgender Athletic Participation policies," the statement concluded. 

Internet erupts after Maine parent in MAGA hat is cut short at Augusta School Board meeting

Tensions are running high online after news emerged that Nick Blanchard was abruptly cut off while speaking at a school board meeting in Maine.

One vented, “Good luck talking in a school board meeting if you don't agree with them,” while another declared, “Don't take this bulls**t people. Keep reminding them who they work for!”

A person noted, “Everyone on this board should be fired and thank you, sir for fighting for the young girls. These people obviously don’t care. I guess they look at them as a commodity.”

“I am embarrassed by the people in leadership. They are biased and rotten to the core. These people have no right to censor any parent,” another comment read. 

 “Just WOW! This is so unbelievably crazy! So wrong!!!! What has the left become?” one more questioned 

Another person suggested, "Sue them into oblivion," while one added, "Schools don't want parents involved. This is exactly why all parents should be involved in their children's schools. They should be sitting in their class rooms like they used to do."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.