'Our Nation Is Hurting': Whitmer To Trump On Floyd Protests

MICHIGAN — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday issued a statement in response to President Donald Trump's call for governors across the country to "dominate" those protesting police brutality. The protests come in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died last week while in custody of Minneapolis police.

“Right now our nation is hurting. Americans are in pain, and desperate for leadership from the White House during one of the darkest periods in our lifetimes. This morning I took a few moments to read a powerful essay written by our former president, Barack Obama, about how we can make this moment a turning point for real change in our country. I felt hopeful and inspired in a way that I haven’t felt in a long time. Then I joined a call with my fellow governors and the current president that was deeply disturbing. Instead of offering support or leadership to bring down the temperature at protests, President Trump told governors to ‘put it down’ or we would be ‘overridden.’ He said governors should ‘dominate’ protesters, ‘or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks.’ The president repeatedly and viciously attacked governors, who are doing everything they can to keep the peace while fighting a once-in-a-generation global pandemic.

“The president’s dangerous comments should be gravely concerning to all Americans, because they send a clear signal that this administration is determined to sow the seeds of hatred and division, which I fear will only lead to more violence and destruction. We must reject this way of thinking. This is a moment that calls for empathy, humanity, and unity. This is one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history, but as Americans, we must remember our enemy is racial injustice, not one another. Let us heed the powerful words of President Obama today to ‘channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action.’ It’s time for all of us to pull together and do the hard work of building a nation that works for everyone.”

Whitmer's statement came in response to Trump and Attorney General William Barr said governors in states with widespread protests, riots and looting should "dominate" protesters.

Michigan has been no exception. In Detroit, hundreds of people were arrested over the course of three nights of protests. In Lansing, a Chase bank was broken into by rioters and a car was set on fire.

While actions by police have been called into question around the country, in Detroit there were reports of rubber bullets and teargas being used against demonstrators who were violating the city's recently implemented curfew.

Trump spoke to governors on a video teleconference that included law enforcement and national security officials, telling state leaders they “have to get much tougher," according to The Associated Press.

“Most of you are weak,” Trump said. “You have to arrest people.”