Woman Sues After Being Denied Entry to Vice President Vance Event in Maine

Amanda McGonigle filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Office of the President and the Secret Service, alleging she was denied entry to a May 14 event in Bangor, Maine, where Vice President JD Vance spoke on the Trump administration’s efforts to combat healthcare fraud.

Five armed Secret Service agents approached McGonigle in line and told her “we know where you stand,” according to the complaint. She had registered for the event at Bangor International Airport, received confirmation from Vance’s office, and obtained materials bearing the White House seal.

McGonigle, 37, wore a shirt that read “J.D. ” The complaint states the agents declared the event private after she had been cleared to attend. McGonigle had previously been turned away from a Vance event in Iowa after registering without receiving confirmation.

She is represented by the ACLU and seeks an injunction barring the administration from excluding her from future public events. McGonigle runs the Instagram account @catsonacouch, which has almost 2 million followers and was launched in 2024. The account has posted memes and other content critical of Vance.

She said she intends to attend additional Vance events and express her views through cheering, booing, and clothing with political messages. The White House and the Secret Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling accompanied Vance at the Bangor event.