AUGUSTA, ME — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows issued a statement today after a letter the leadership of the Maine GOP sent to President of the Maine Senate and the Speaker of House demanding “the establishment of a special investigative committee or impeachment proceedings” was provided to a local newspaper. The reason given was the recent decision to temporarily pause the issuance of new confidential license plates to federal agencies during ICE’s recent activities in Maine:

“I will always strive to protect Mainers. A majority of Americans, regardless of party, believe that ICE’s actions are unacceptable and have gone too far. Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, we have all seen with our own eyes the atrocities that have occurred, including here in Maine. I made the decision to pause the issuance of new confidential plates out of deep concern that ICE’s actions violate the U.S. Constitution and the law.

It was not a decision made lightly. But where I saw the decision as a necessary one to protect Mainers’ lives, the Maine GOP saw it as yet another opportunity to spread lies and misinformation and instill fear. My office will never stand idly by while the constitutional rights of Mainers are trampled. I won’t be intimidated.  I will never back down from protecting our state and the Constitution.”