Michigan Republican lawmakers said they are working to impeach Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer amid new coronavirus lockdowns that were announced in the state.
"Today, myself and a growing list of Michigan Legislators have decided that @GovWhitmer has crossed the line and will be calling for #ImpeachWhitmer hearings," Michigan state Rep. Matt Maddock tweeted Sunday. "The list of violations is long and the call is overdue."
He said Republican state Reps. Daire Rendon, Beau LaFave, Ryan Berman, Shane Hernandez, John Reilly, and others are joining him in the impeachment pursuit.
“Michigan voters know she has committed the following impeachable conduct: Ignored court orders. Violated our Constitutional rights. Completely ignored due process and the legislature. Weaponized [contact] tracing databases to aid democrat campaigns,” Maddock added in a Facebook post.
“Using our kids as political pawns and denied special needs students who depend on the services that occur during in-person classes. Caused the unnecessary death of thousands of our vulnerable elderly who died alone and scared in nursing homes. I’ve listed the first things that come to my mind. What did I miss?” he continued.
The governor's press secretary, Tiffany Brown, said in response to the posts that Whitmer "doesn't have any time for partisan politics or people who don't wear masks, don't believe in science, and don't have a plan to fight this virus."
"Right now, she is focused on saving lives. The governor will continue to work hard for all 10 million Michiganders. This is about Michigan vs. COVID-19. Governor Whitmer doesn't care if you're a Trump Republican or a Biden Democrat. We are all in this together."
Whitmer announced new health department coronavirus orders on Sunday, including closing in-person high school and college classes, having people work from home if they can, closing casinos, arcades, and movie theaters, ending all sporting events except for professional games, among other orders. The restrictions will last three weeks.
Michigan became a hotbed of controversy earlier this year because of Whitmer’s extended stay-at-home orders. Protests to reopen formed in Lansing in the spring, including one protest in which people carrying rifles and other long guns gathered in the House chamber and shouted at legislators.
In April, thousands of protesters flooded the state's capital in their cars while flying "Trump 2020" and U.S. flags to protest coronavirus-focused restrictions that they said were excessive.