Context:

Maine Governor Janet Mills was confronted about past allegations of cocaine use, which she has dismissed as a politically motivated witch hunt. The allegations date back to when she was a district attorney in the 1990s, accused by a drug suspect, but the investigation was dropped without charges. Mills has criticized the Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement for inflating arrest numbers, which she believes contributed to her targeting. A Department of Justice memorandum later refuted Mills' claim of political motivation, finding no misconduct in the investigation. Despite the controversy, Mills remains a prominent political figure and has not ruled out a future Senate run.

Dive Deeper:

• Maine Governor Janet Mills was confronted on video about allegations of cocaine use, which she laughed off, attributing them to a political smear campaign. These allegations stem from an investigation in the 1990s when she was a district attorney, accused by a drug suspect.

• The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, and Maine’s Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement, was dropped without charges, and Mills has maintained that it was politically motivated due to her Democratic affiliation and criticism of BIDE.

• In 1990, Mills and two other district attorneys criticized BIDE for inflating arrest numbers with low-level drug offenders, which she believes led to her being targeted. She has expressed concerns about a 'secret police force' that can ruin reputations.

• A 1995 Department of Justice memorandum, discovered by Fox News, refuted Mills' claims of political motivation, stating there was no misconduct by authorities during the investigation. The memo noted that Mills was investigated by a federal grand jury, but the case was dismissed.

• Despite past controversies, Mills remains an influential political figure in Maine, with the potential to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the future, although she has not confirmed any plans to run for another office.