At the height of the virus outbreak that's killed over 200 thousand Americans, President Donald Trump railed against state and local leaders for heeding recommendations from health experts to temporarily shut down non-essential businesses and institute stay-at-home orders.
One of Trump's favorite targets was Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Trump repeatedly fired off belligerent tweets toward the governor, and when anti-lockdown protesters stormed the state capitol and showed up at her home, he tweeted to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!"
I love Michigan, one of the reasons we are doing such a GREAT job for them during this horrible Pandemic. Yet your Governor, Gretchen “Half" Whitmer is way in over her head, she doesn't have a clue. Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive. We are pushing her to get the job done. I stand with Michigan!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020
LIBERATE MICHIGAN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Earlier this week, federal and state officials arrested 13 people connected to a plot to overtake the state capitol and kidnap Governor Whitmer before subjecting her to some sort of trial. The domestic terrorist group behind the scheme is known as Wolverine Watchmen.
Whitmer said that Trump's constant targeting, coupled with his refusal to condemn white supremacist groups at the presidential debate the month before, were partly to blame:
"Just last week, the President of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups. 'Stand back and stand by,' he told them. 'Stand back and stand by.' Hate groups heard the President's words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry, as a call to action. When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight."
Her words sent Trump off on yet another Twitter rant:
Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone, except her husband's boating activities. The Federal Government provided tremendous help to the Great People of Michigan. My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
...today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist—while Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa, Anarchists, Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
...I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence. Defending ALL Americans, even those who oppose and attack me, is what I will always do as your President! Governor Whitmer—open up your state, open up your schools, and open up your churches!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
But the governor isn't backing down.
When our leaders speak, their words carry weight. I'm not going to waste my time arguing with the president, but I will always hold him accountable. https://t.co/mMrVtpz0Uj
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) October 9, 2020
Whitmer published an op-ed on Friday for the Washington Post, in which she doubled down on her determination to hold the President accountable for his words:
"When our leaders encourage domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions. When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit ... Hate groups heard the president's words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry. As a call to action."
She then skewered Trump's response to the national health emergency:
"[I]nstead of uniting the country, our president has spent the past seven months denying science, ignoring his own health experts, stoking distrust, and fomenting anger and giving comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division. He has proved time and again that he is more focused on his chances in the upcoming election and picking fights with me and Democrats across the country than he is on protecting our families, front-line workers and small businesses from [the virus]."
People applauded the governor's resolve:
You are an example of leadership Governor..
And you didn't use a bunker.. https://t.co/WDAtuGs68c pic.twitter.com/orIAQ5yEGM
— Truth Seeker (@JonesSeeker) October 9, 2020
This is what a leader sounds like. #VoteHimOut #vote #votesaveamerica https://t.co/DbJMNTYvVt
— Tory Wierzbicki (@ChiTown_Spartan) October 9, 2020
And I'll have your back while you do so, @GovWhitmer https://t.co/Ug6KXFG0yf
— hxresistance (@hxresistance) October 9, 2020
We support you Big G. 💪🏾 https://t.co/du2pGKIqhq
— Ka-reen-ah 🇯🇲🇺🇸 (@uwishyouknew7) October 9, 2020
Right behind ya.
He is just jealous because your a better leader than he is. https://t.co/iU74HzSWlk
— Patrick (@Patrick96800084) October 9, 2020
This Michigan Republican hasn't had a moment of regret about @GovWhitmer being the first Democrat I ever voted for. https://t.co/bL7LTHETkG
— Jeff Timmer (@jefftimmer) October 9, 2020
Like Whitmer, they vowed to do what they could to hold the President accountable.
So will we.
— Billie Dawn (@BillieDawn10) October 9, 2020
And rightfully so. His careless and dangerous rhetoric has emboldened the worst in our society.
We need Joe, now more than ever!
— Maureen Bergeron (@MTBergeron1) October 9, 2020
The American people will hold him accountable also Governor.
— Gerald D Tinnon (@bambamman12) October 9, 2020
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