After facing questions about rumored cocaine use, Maine Governor Janet Mills has commenced the construction of a $4.5 million fortified steel barrier around her official dwelling. This move comes shortly after a security evaluation conducted in 2018.

The construction project surrounding the Blaine House, the Governor’s residence, is part of a security enhancement initiative and is set to total $4.5 million. It includes the installation of a new boundary comprising stone masonry and metal elements.

Construction teams are currently focused on erecting a fresh perimeter fence around the premises. Recent photos have emerged, depicting a provisional steel fence surrounding the residence as part of the ongoing upgrades.

On top of the bolstered border, a new security system will be installed alongside new lighting and cameras.

A spokesperson said the fence would provide ‘more substantial and provide greater security’ than the previous wooden picket fence. 

Mills, who was recently pressed about her alleged cocaine habit back in the 90s, is overseeing the project which is expected to be finished by the end of the year. 

While in Washington DC last month, a man had approached the 77-year-old and questioned her over her alleged use of the illegal substance. 

The brazen interviewer asked her: ‘Is sniffing cocaine at work a human right, Janet?’, she hit back asking him: ‘What the f***?’.

A spokesperson said the fence would provide ‘more substantial and provide greater security’ than the previous wooden picket fence, seen here in a 2019 file photo

Mills, seen here, was recently pressed about her alleged cocaine habit back in the 90s and is overseeing the project

The persistent inquirer did not stop there, asking Mills how much the cost of an ‘eight ball’ – slang for an eight-of-an-ounce portion – has gone up due to inflation.

But she did not take the bait and shared no response as she continued to walk away from the man. 

This video came about after the Department of Justice shot down Mills’ assertion that the investigation into her alleged drug use decades ago was politically motivated. 

Mills had been probed in the 90s by Maine’s US Attorney’s Office, the DEA, and the state’s Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement (BIDE). 

She was back then serving as the district attorney, and had been named in a tip from a drug suspect. 

Mills was never charged with a crime, and has gone on to claim the whole thing was to tarnish her reputation because of her left-leaning policies and criticism of BIDE.

She is probably best-known for clashing with President Trump over her refusal to ban transgender athletes from competing against biological women.  

‘It’s scary,’ Mills told the Portland Press Herald in 1991. ‘Maine apparently has a secret police force at work that can ruin the reputation of any who opposes it.’

The story was back in the news after Fox News dug up a memo from 1995 in which the DOJ claimed her claims were all ‘unsubstantiated.’

Crews are working on building a new perimeter fence around the property, and images have surfaced showing a temporary steel fence thrown round the residence 

This image shows damage after a fire at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside

The increase in security comes after former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, seen here, were gunned down in their home 

According to the memo, Mills had sued a WCSH-TV at the end of 1990 for reporting that she was being investigated by a grand jury over alleged illicit substance use.

Her lawyer then claimed ‘the press received leaks from BIDE law enforcement officials.’

Mills accused investigators of falsifying testimonies and threatening witnesses to give unflattering statements, but the department found evidence of no such things. 

The increased security comes after Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s mansion was firebombed in April and former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their homes in June.

Cody Balmer scaled an iron fence outside of Shapiro’s address and evaded cops before attempting to set fire to the home. He is facing charges of attempted homicide, terrorism and arson. 

He told officers afterwards that he planned to beat Shapiro with a sledgehammer if he encountered him after breaking, according to court documents. 

Federal prosecutors say Vance Boelter, a Trump supporter, is responsible for gunning down the couple and two other Democratic lawmakers who survived.

Boelter was charged with a total of six federal counts – two for stalking, two for murder, and two for shooting and firearms offenses.