Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is vowing to hold a discussion with Ford Motor Company following President Donald Trump disregarding the state’s mask policy during a tour.
Nessel appeared on “The Situation Room” with CNN’ Wolf Blitzer on Thursday where she was asked whether or not Trump would be welcome to return to Michigan.
Reiterating that it is now Michigan law to wear masks in public, enclosed spaces, Nessel confirmed that he is not welcome. However, she admitted the president’s actions were “extremely disappointing,” yet “totally predictable.”
“I would say speaking on behalf of my department and my office, that’s right. That’s exactly right. I mean, today’s events were extremely disappointing and totally predictable,” she said.
During his visit to vehicle manufacturer now mass-producing masks, the president reportedly donned a mask for a very brief period of time. But did not do so for the duration of the visit. When asked why he was not wearing a mask, he insisted that he did not want to “give the media the pleasure of seeing it.”
Nessel went on to criticize the president’s actions as she described him as a “petulant child.”
“The president is like a petulant child who refuses to follow the rules,” she said. “I have to say, this is no joke.”
As a leader, Nessel insists Trump is “conveying the worst, possible message to people who cannot afford to be on the receiving end of terrible misinformation. And it’s very, very concerning.”
See Nessel’s remarks below:
@realDonaldTrump's actions in Michigan today were extremely disappointing, and yet totally predictable. Even though you have a president who doesn't care about you, you have a governor and attorney general who do. Watch my response on @CNN below. ⬇️pic.twitter.com/OQfJSc5S7T
— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) May 21, 2020
Nessel also confirmed Ford Motor Company will also be contacted for failing to enforce the state’s law and its company mask policy.
“I think that we’re going to have a very serious conversation with Ford in the event that the permitted the president to be in publicly enclosed places in violation of the order,” she said. (3:00)
She went on to argue that the president’s actions pose another public health risk for the hard-hit state.
Nessel continued, “They knew exactly what the order was and if they permitted anyone, even the President of the United States, to defy that order, I think it has serious health consequences, potentially, for their workers.”
Following Nessel’s interview, Trump fired back at her via Twitter. In a scathing tweet, the president described Nessel’s concerns as “stupidity.”
Do nothing A.G. of the Great State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, should not be taking her anger and stupidity out on Ford Motor – they might get upset with you and leave the state, like so many other companies have – until I came along and brought business back to Michigan. JOBS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 22, 2020
As of Friday morning, the state of Michigan has more than 53,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and a death toll of more than 5,100.
