
(Scypre.com) – Maine Governor Janet Mills found herself at the center of controversy on July 1, 2025, after a viral video showed her responding with an expletive when confronted by a heckler about longstanding allegations of cocaine use. While walking through Washington, D.C., Mills was approached by someone who loudly asked, “Did you sniff cocaine at work?” The governor, visibly surprised, fired back with “What the f—?” before walking away without further comment. The heckler continued with another jab—“How much more does an eight-ball cost with inflation?”—but received no response. The incident was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, sparking intense public and political debate.
The allegations that prompted the heckler’s question date back to the early 1990s when Mills, then serving as a district attorney, was the subject of a federal investigation over claims that she had used and purchased cocaine. At the time, the probe involved the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DEA, and Maine’s Bureau of Investigation of Drug Enforcement. Mills has long maintained that the investigation was politically motivated and rooted in a vendetta by state drug agents. However, no charges were ever filed against her. In a twist, a previously unreleased 1995 memo from the Department of Justice has resurfaced, directly challenging Mills’s claim that she was targeted for political reasons. The memo concluded that the investigation was conducted properly and that her allegations of misconduct were unsubstantiated.
The viral nature of the governor’s response has divided opinion. Critics have argued that her language was unprofessional and suggested it reflects a deeper issue of accountability, while her supporters see it as a human and justifiable reaction to an inappropriate public provocation. So far, Governor Mills’s office has not released any official comment regarding the incident or the DOJ memo. The timing of the controversy is especially notable given that Mills is nearing the end of her second term, with speculation mounting about a possible Senate run. As the story continues to unfold, it highlights the powerful intersection of viral media, political legacy, and long-buried controversies that can suddenly return to the spotlight.