Gov. Whitmer Extends Stay-At-Home Order in Michigan While Taking Aim at GOP
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) did not allow the Republican-controlled state legislature to stop her from taking action to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Whitmer issued three executive orders on Thursday to…
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) did not allow the Republican-controlled state legislature to stop her from taking action to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Whitmer issued three executive orders on Thursday to extend the emergency and disaster declaration set to expire at midnight on April 30. She also fired back at Republican lawmakers for refusing to extend the order.
“COVID-19 is an enemy that has taken the lives of more Michiganders than we lost during the Vietnam War,” Whitmer said in a statement.
She added, “While some members of the legislature might believe this crisis is over, common sense and all of the scientific data tells us we’re not out of the woods yet.”
“By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk. I’m not going to let that happen.”
Whitmer was met with harsh opposition as protesters stormed the Michigan state capitol on Thursday to demand they be allowed onto the House floor. Protesters are heard chanting “let us in” and “you cannot lock us out, this is the peoples’ house.”
State police and sergeants of the House prevented protesters from passing through the doors.
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-MI) tweeted a photo with a group of protesters holding rifles.
“Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today,” Polehanki wrote.