It was previously reported that articles of impeachment were introduced in hopes to remove Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer from her position. Upon further research, one local news report suggests that calls for the impeachment of Whitmer were viewed by some board members as nothing more than a “symbolic gesture” meant to get a reaction or response from Whitmer, particularly regarding her executive orders.
State Rep. Beau M. LaFave did post the following on Twitter, on November 18, that “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,” and continuing in a second tweet, “rights of the people of Michigan, issuing executive orders against the interests of the people and state, and using state resources to reward political allies.”
At some point down the line, it was UpNorthLive, a local news source connected to ABC News, who reported out of Kalkaska County and showed a slightly different view of the situation.
Their report started by saying “Commissioners from Kalkaska County voted to recommend the impeachment of Governor Gretchen Whitmer” and that they have discussed it for about a month. They voted four to two, in support of passing a resolution that calls for the impeachment, with one board member not there to vote on it.
The report mentions a small amount of details, but where it takes a possibly different angle is after it provides the following two quotes and suggests the calls for the impeachment were meant as mostly symbolic.
“Unconstitutional executive orders, let me make that very clear, the executive orders issued by Governor Whitmer are the primary cause of the economic crisis Kalkaska County is experiencing,” Commissioner David Comai said.
“It seems we all know that this isn’t going to go anywhere,” a Kalkaska resident said during the public comment portion of the meeting. “The Republican leadership in Lansing have said they don’t intend to do this. This is really just calling attention to Kalkaska as an area that wants to be rebellious.”
Supporters said the resolution is largely a symbolic gesture intended to send a message to Lansing.
The situation now appears to be slightly confusing, or receiving mixed reviews, considering what LaFave has posted days before this article was posted on UpNorthLive.