The president and his re-election campaign are swiping back after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) blamed President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, claiming it encouraged the plot by a militia group to kidnap her.
After federal law enforcement officials announced on Thursday they had arrested six people plotting to kidnap Whitmer and overthrow the Michigan state government, Whitmer placed the blame on Trump’s rhetoric.
“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,” Whitmer said. “‘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.”
She continued, “When our leaders speak, their words matter,” adding, “When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit.”
However, Trump did not hold back in responding.
The president took to Twitter to share that he thinks Whitmer “has done a terrible job” as governor with her lockdown orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
He then wrote, “My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced 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.”
Trump added:
“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 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
…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
Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller also blasted Whitmer during his Fox News interview where he said, “These are some pretty shameful comments from Governor Whitmer,” adding, “If we want to talk about hatred, and then Governor Whitmer, go look in the mirror.”
He also claimed Whitmer has “hatred in her heart towards President Trump.”
The Democratic governor responded to Miller when she appeared on CNN Tuesday evening.
Whitmer responds to Jason Miller: "I think it tells you everything you need to know about the White House … everything that’s at stake in this election.” pic.twitter.com/kaHndtUpHu
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 8, 2020
“I think it tells you everything you need to know about the White House…everything that’s at stake in this election,” Whitmer said of the Trump re-election camapign remarks.