Michigan House Speaker Shuts Down Whitmer Impeachment Talk

MICHIGAN — Days after a Republican lawmaker in Michigan called for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be impeached after issuing safety restrictions amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield shut those calls down.

Chatfield called the effort by Matt Maddock, a state representative who represents parts of Oakland County, a distraction. He added that the idea of impeaching Whitmer is just as "shameful" as impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump.

“We’re not the party that impeaches someone because we’re upset with policies that they’ve enacted,” Chatfield said.

Maddock said Whitmer "crossed the line" with restrictions she announced alongside state health officials Sunday, which include capping indoor residential gatherings to people from no more than two households and limiting outdoor gatherings to 25 people.

Maddock said five Republican colleagues support his position, according to The Associated Press. Those five Republican have not been named, however.

Chatfield, along with Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, have continued, however, to be critical of the governor for her partial shutdown of restaurants, bars, high schools and colleges, as well as limitations on gatherings.

The people of Michigan deserve a seat at the decision table, Chatfield said in a statement Sunday.

Chatfield said House Republicans stand ready to act in a bipartisan way when Whitmer decides it is worth her time.

Information and reporting from The Associated Press contributed to this report.