Update: One report suggests the calls for Whitmer’s impeachment are largely a symbolic gesture. Read here.
Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer faces a major challenge after three Republican lawmakers introduced articles of impeachment against her. This comes just after new restrictions related to the coronavirus have went into effect across Michigan. The articles of impeachment accuse Gov. Whitmer of exceeding her “constitutional authority” and conducting “corrupt conduct in office” during the time of the pandemic.
The three Republican lawmakers who filed this are Reps. Daire Rendon, Matthew Maddock, and Beau LaFave. It was LaFave who also posted on social media about this, stating “Today I introduced Articles of Impeachment against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The four articles of impeachment against Gov. Whitmer include failing to respect the separation of powers by exercising power granted to the legislative branch, violating the constitutional.”
Part of the articles of impeachment introduced included the following statement:
“Whereas, in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gretchen E. Whitmer has acted in conflict with her constitutional duties as Governor. She has exceeded her constitutional authority, violated the constitutional rights of the people of Michigan, issued orders that are not in the best interests of the people of this state, and used the Pandemic as an opportunity to reward political allies. These actions are a matter of public record, primarily in the form of executive orders and the enforcement thereof; now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, that Gretchen E. Whitmer, Governor of the state of Michigan, is impeached for corrupt conduct in office and for crimes and misdemeanors.”
On the contrary, it appears as though Lee Chatfield, the Republican House Speaker, won’t let an impeachment vote make its way onto the House floor. The reason why is that it would “lack merit and would be every bit as shameful as the impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump” according to Chatfield’s statement, as reported by WXYZ.