Michigan. Gov 'disappointed and disheartened' by Trump

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday following “lock her up” chants at his rally in the state the night before. Whitmer later told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the rhetoric incites  “domestic terrorism”  is “incredibly disturbing” a little more than a week after authorities announced they had thwarted an alleged plot to kidnap the Democratic governor.

Later Sunday, while campaigning with a state house candidate, Whitmer said she was "incredibly disappointed and disheartened" to see the comments, adding "the enemy is a virus. The enemy is not our fellow Americans." At a rally in Muskegon Saturday evening, Trump urged supporters to push Whitmer to reopen the state following COVID-19 restrictions. When the crowd starting chanting “lock her up” Trump added, “Lock ’em all up.”

Several Republican and Trump campaign officials appeared on Sunday news shows to defend the president. Democrats have sought to tie Trump to the alleged plot against Whitmer, pointing to the president’s tweet earlier this year to “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” after Whitmer restricted personal movement and the economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Michigan - particularly the Detroit area - was hit hard early during the pandemic. Many of the limits have since been lifted.

Authorities allege members of two anti-government paramilitary groups took part in plotting Whitmer's kidnapping, although some were charged under federal law and others under state law. Six men, led by Adam Fox of the Michigan III%ers, are charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap her. Eight others who are believed to be members or associates of a group called the Wolverine Watchmen are charged in state court with counts including providing material support for terrorist acts. Some of the Wolverine Watchmen are accused of planning other violent crimes, such as storming the Michigan Capitol building and attacking law enforcement officers. 

(Image Credits: AP)