Whitmer Responds To Supreme Court Ruling Striking Down Her Orders

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday voted 4-3 to strike down months of orders issued by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, saying the 1945 law she cited in issuing the orders was unconstitutional.

Shortly after the ruling, Whitmer responded to the decision by saying she believed it was disappointing, adding that she vehemently disagrees with the move.

"Right now, every state and the federal government have some form of declared emergency," Whitmer said. "With this decision, Michigan will become the sole outlier at a time when the Upper Peninsula is experiencing rates of COVID infection not seen in our state since April."

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Whitmer said she has only made such orders to protect Michigan residents during the crisis that has — to date — led to more than over 126,000 confirmed cases in the state and killed over 6,700.

She had, for six months, imposed restrictions on Michigan’s economy, school systems and other sectors in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

Earlier Friday, she issued an order restricting Michigan's Upper Peninsula, requiring schools to enforce mask requirements and restricting social gatherings amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the region.

Whitmer's orders remain in effect for another 21 days despite the ruling, and Whitmer said that after the 21-day period many of the responsive measures put in place will continue under alternative sources of authority not issue in Friday's ruling.

“I want the people of Michigan to know that no matter what happens, I will never stop fighting to keep you and your families safe from this deadly virus," she said.

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