Janet Mills builds a steel fence around her residence, and the cost is staggering
Augusta, MAINE: Maine Governor Janet Mills is overseeing the construction of a $4.5 million reinforced steel and stone perimeter around the Blaine House, the official gubernatorial residence, amid renewed public attention on decades-old drug allegations.
The project, based on a 2018 security assessment, includes a new steel and stone wall, enhanced lighting, upgraded surveillance systems, and a modern security network. Temporary fencing has already been installed, and the final structure is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
A spokesperson said the new barrier will provide “more substantial and greater security” than the previous wooden picket fence.
This development follows a viral incident in Washington, D.C., where Mills, 77, was confronted by a man asking about her alleged cocaine use in the 1990s. “Is sniffing cocaine at work a human right, Janet?” he asked. Mills responded sharply before walking away. The confrontation resurfaced scrutiny of a long-closed investigation.
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Back in the 1990s, Mills was investigated by federal and state drug enforcement agencies after being named in a tip by a drug suspect while serving as a district attorney. No charges were filed, and Mills has consistently claimed the probe was politically motivated. However, a 1995 Department of Justice memo concluded that her claims were “unsubstantiated.”
The timing of the Blaine House security upgrades also follows recent violent attacks on Democratic officials. In April, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence was targeted in a firebombing. In June, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered in their home, allegedly by a Trump supporter now facing federal charges.
While Mills has long drawn conservative ire for her progressive policies—including her refusal to ban transgender athletes—the governor remains defiant. “It’s scary,” she told reporters. “But safety cannot be compromised.”