A <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/us/politics/trump-biden-poll-nyt-upshot-siena-college.html">New York Times/Siena College poll</a> out Thursday shows former Vice President Joe Biden opening up a wide lead among registered voters in six key states President Donald Trump won in 2016.
In some cases &#8212; particularly Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin &#8212; Biden leads the president by double digits, likely giving the Trump campaign some pause as they re-evaluate their campaign team and their campaign strategy.
&#8220;The surveys – conducted by Siena College for the New York Times – show the former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee leading the GOP incumbent in the White House 47-36 percent among registered voters in Michigan, 50-40 percent in Pennsylvania, and 49-38 percent in Wisconsin,&#8221; <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-trailing-biden-in-6-key-battleground-states-according-to-new-polling">Fox News reports</a>.
In addition, Biden now leads in Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina &#8212; three states Trump won by a solid margin in 2016, when facing off against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton &#8212; by comfortable margins.
All of the states listed were narrowly &#8220;blue&#8221; before Trump turned them red in the last election, and the campaign is likely to know that Trump needs to make a strong argument for his own continued employment within the Rust Belt, where manufacturing and industrial workers make up the vast majority of swing voters.
Although the New York Times leans left editorially, the NYT/Siena College polls have often been good predictors of electoral success and failure &#8212; and it was an NYT/Siena College poll, which showed that progressive 2020 contenders like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) losing dramatically to Trump in places like Florida and Arizona that drove many key Democrats to abandon the far left and embrace the more &#8220;moderate&#8221; Biden candidacy back in early 2020.
Fox News also notes that &#8220;most of the polls released on Thursday are pretty much in line with results from other recent surveys in the six key battleground states. An average of the latest polls in these states compiled by Real Clear Politics shows Biden with an 8.6 point margin in Michigan, 8 points in Wisconsin, 6.3 points in Pennsylvania, 6.2 points in Florida, 4 points in Arizona and 1.4 points in North Carolina.&#8221;
And while other polls have seemed to indicate voters currently see the 2020 election as a referendum on Trump&#8217;s performance, the NYT/Siena College poll specifically shows support for Trump eroding among white voters &#8212; the president&#8217;s key constituency. Although white voters approve of Trump&#8217;s handling of the economy &#8212; in this case, by a wide margin &#8212; they remain concerned about his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and of the widespread unrest that followed the death of George Floyd, a black man who perished while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.
&#8220;Trump faces headwinds on his handling of the protests against police brutality and racial injustice as only 31% believe he has handled them well,&#8221; <a href="https://www.axios.com/biden-leads-trump-battleground-polling-nyt-5675f5ad-09ac-46ca-827b-406cdce28c34.html">Axios reports</a>. &#8220;55% of the battleground voters said they believe the federal government should be working to limit the spread of the coronavirus, even if it hurts the economy, while just 35% said the federal government needs to restart the economy.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Joe Biden Donald Trump

POLL: Biden Leading Trump In Six Key Battleground States, Some By Double Digits

2020 Election

Donald Trump

Florida

Joe Biden

Michigan

Wisconsin

Law enforcement officials in Flint, Michigan, are looking to talk to two men after an attack was caught on camera earlier this week at a Macy&#8217;s store in which a man attacks a Macy&#8217;s employee, claiming that the employee called him the &#8220;n-word.&#8221;
The video, which is violent and contains graphic language, does not show that the employee used any racial slurs but does appear to show the other man repeatedly striking him while he was on the floor.
&#8220;Damire Palmer, 18, of Mount Morris and Damarquay Palmer, 22, of Flint Township have been identified by police as the two suspects involved,&#8221; WNEM TV5 reported. &#8220;Police say they learned that an employee of the store was assaulted by a male who fled the scene with a second individual after the assault. The store surveillance video confirmed the assault against the employee. Investigators also learned that the assault was recorded by the second individual and shared on social media.&#8221;
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Damire Palmer, 18, of Mount Morris and Damarquay Palmer, 22, of Flint Township have been identified by police as the two suspects involved that were allegedly involved in the attack on a Macy&#39;s employee in a viral video earlier this week. <a href="https://t.co/z5pM8eAHal">pic.twitter.com/z5pM8eAHal</a>
&mdash; Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1274664373953257474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Macy&#8217;s released a statement that said that it was clear, based on the evidence that they had, that the attack was unprovoked.
&#8220;We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place on Monday at Macy’s Genesee Valley as the safety of Macy’s customers and colleagues is our top priority,&#8221; Macy&#8217;s said. &#8220;Violence in the workplace of any kind is unacceptable.  All the materials from the evening have been reviewed and it is clear that the attack was unprovoked. We are working closely with local authorities on this investigation, and will defer any further comments about the case to them per policy.&#8221;
Macy&#8217;s added, &#8220;Since this event, Macy’s and mall management have added additional security to ensure our customers and colleagues can safely enjoy their shopping experience.&#8221;
WATCH:
<iframe title="Flint Twp. Police investigating attack at Genesee Valley Mall." width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yRX_KoFtpsU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
“I just want people to know the real story of really what happened and what’s in the description of me and my brother just walking into Macy’s just minding our own business,” one of the two suspects told The New York Post. “And, yes, we made a petty joke and asked the guy was the shirt too little when he could’ve asked me. He was just being funny. And just the fact of the remark that he said that we all heard. And just, what else were we supposed to do? In this age and time, he didn’t know what else to do. That was just his instinct.”
“At the moment, it was surprising,” he continued. “I’m behind my brother fully, because with everything else going on, what else can we do at this point? All the hate and everything is not needed because nothing works. It was spur of the moment. That was his instinct.”
Throughout the month of June, Macy&#8217;s has made statements expressing support for the leftist Black Lives Matter movement, which gained steam last month after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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Across Macy&#39;s today, we will stop to observe, celebrate &amp; acknowledge Juneteenth. Every colleague will have the opportunity to learn the importance of the day and be given resources to take action, because <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a> <a href="https://t.co/9I0kwHDfig">pic.twitter.com/9I0kwHDfig</a>
&mdash; Macy&#39;s (@Macys) <a href="https://twitter.com/Macys/status/1273963779106226178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As a company, we are committed to doing our part to end systematic racism.
We see you. We hear you.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a> <a href="https://t.co/hlOwCiXjDg">pic.twitter.com/hlOwCiXjDg</a>
&mdash; Macy&#39;s (@Macys) <a href="https://twitter.com/Macys/status/1269732576941551616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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George Floyd’s tragic death is a senseless loss of life. This injustice must end, along with the racial injustice that pervades this country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a> Read an open letter from our CEO to employees: <a href="https://t.co/TGgLrINtXh">https://t.co/TGgLrINtXh</a>
&mdash; Macy&#39;s (@Macys) <a href="https://twitter.com/Macys/status/1267260157274329090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

US-COMMERCE-MACY&#8217;S

Man Brutally Beats Macy’s Employee, Claims He Was Called ‘N-Word’. Macy’s Responds: ‘It Is Clear This Attack Was Unprovoked’

Police

Racism

During an online event for Michigan Democrats on Monday, a U.S. congresswoman who had rightly sounded the alarm about then-candidate Donald Trump&#8217;s potential of winning the state in 2016 delivered a similar message to her fellow Joe Biden supporters. The Trump Victory campaign has since responded to the event by issuing a taunting statement swiping at &#8220;hidin&#8217; Joe Biden&#8221; and predicting success again in the longtime &#8220;blue wall&#8221; state.
The message from multiple Michigan Democrats during the event Monday was beware &#8220;complacency.&#8221; Among those urging continued vigilance despite very promising poll numbers out of the state was Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), who says she simply does not &#8220;believe these numbers.&#8221;
“Some people say, ‘Oh, look at the numbers.&#8217; I don’t believe these numbers,&#8221; said Dingell, who <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/06/15/dingell-i-dont-believe-these-numbers-showing-biden-big-lead/3195827001/">The Detroit News</a> notes introduced herself as &#8220;Debbie Downer.&#8221;
Real Clear Politics&#8217; average of the latest Michigan polls shows Biden leading Trump by nearly <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/mi/michigan_trump_vs_biden-6761.html">9 points</a>. While a recent EPIC-MRA poll shows the Democrat ahead by <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/06/16/michigan-poll-biden-trump/3190077001/">16 percent</a>, a CNBC/Change Research poll gives Biden a narrow <a href="https://www.changeresearch.com/post/states-of-play-battleground-wave-6">2-point</a> advantage. A Fox News poll from April gave Biden an <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-biden-tops-trump-in-michigan-where-gov-whitmer-is-more-popular-than-president">8-point</a> lead.
&#8220;Four years ago, many of you on this phone call thought that I was nuts,&#8221; Dingell said in reference to her warnings back in 2016 about Trump potentially taking the state. &#8220;I was in enough communities and heard enough people talking that I was very worried about the outcome of that election.&#8221;
After Hillary Clinton infamously neglected Michigan <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/05/hillary-clinton-michigan/93356788/">until the eleventh hour</a>, Trump narrowly defeated her in the state by just 10,704 votes. Democratic polling showed Clinton with a healthy <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/michigan-hillary-clinton-trump-232547">5-point</a> advantage in the state heading into Election Day.
Dingell pointed to the chaos of the recent months as evidence that positive polling now doesn&#8217;t mean electoral victory in November. &#8220;[L]ook at what’s happened in five months,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The world is upside down and not one of us on this phone call would have predicted that the world will be as it is today. And it is five months from now until November.&#8221;
Also involved in the online event was Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a vocal critic of Trump, who likewise urged her fellow Democrats not to &#8220;let our guard down&#8221; because of strong polling.
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&#8220;I believe we are going to be successful, but we cannot for one second let our guard down,&#8221; said Whitmer, as reported by The Detroit News. &#8220;We cannot for one second make an assumption that Michigan is going to go with Joe Biden.&#8221;
The Trump Victory campaign responded to the event by touting Trump&#8217;s economic progress prior to the lockdown crisis and mocking Biden.
&#8220;While hidin’ Joe Biden is too scared of his own shadow to emerge from his basement, Michiganders know that President Trump already built the world&#8217;s greatest economy once, and he&#8217;ll do it again,&#8221; said Trump Victory campaign spokesman Chris Gustafson.
Trump&#8217;s battle with Michigan&#8217;s Democratic leadership reached its peak in late May when, despite prior warnings from the governor and the attorney general, he refused to wear a face-mask in front of the cameras while visiting a Ford plant in Ypsilanti, stating he &#8220;didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing&#8221; his mask.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-defies-democrat-michigan-ag-on-wearing-facemask-she-unloads-threatens-ford">Trump Defies Democrat Michigan AG On Wearing Facemask; She Unloads, Threatens Ford</a>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.
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Debbie Dingell

Michigan Democrat Who Warned Of Trump Win In 2016 Says She Doesn’t Believe Poll Numbers; Team Trump Agrees In Taunting Response

Gretchen Whitmer

Two state legislators in Michigan have introduced a resolution that would declare racism a public health crisis.
Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-lawmaker-michigan-racism-public-health-crisis">reported</a> that the state senators, Marshall Bullock (D-Detroit) and Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) requested Michigan “commit to working collaboratively with the Governor and every sector of society to develop an ongoing strategy to address, fund, and support solutions that strategically reduce the long-term impact that racism has on the quality of life and health for citizens of color.”
More from Fox:
<blockquote>Bullock said on the Senate floor that the coronavirus trends have been attributed to diabetes, high blood pressure and a lack of access to reliable health care, as well as crowded living situations.
But he said underlying health conditions in communities of color can be linked to social and economic factors like discriminatory housing and education policy.
“The only pre-existing condition that truly impacts black people and their health is racism,” Bullock said.</blockquote>
Geiss used terms from the coronavirus public health crisis when she discussed systemic racism, saying it “continues to be a pervasive sickness.”
“The primary vaccine for this public health crisis must lay in recognizing the crisis and intentionally working to destroy it,&#8221; she added.
As Fox reported, the “Senate resolution was co-sponsored by the rest of the Democrat caucus and one Republican, state Sen. Dale Zorn.” Zorn (R-Ida) <a href="https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/06/michigan-lawmakers-want-to-declare-racism-a-public-health-crisis.html">told</a> MLive in a statement that he joined the effort “because it’s the right thing to do.”
“I want to be a part of the solution going forward and I think this is one situation where I can help,” he said.
More from MLive:
<blockquote>The resolution was directed to the Senate Government Operations Committee. An identical resolution is set to be introduced in the House by Rep. Cynthia Johnson, D-Detroit, later Wednesday.
Resolutions are non-binding and do not have a direct impact on existing laws, but can be used by government bodies as a statement of priorities or to declare intentions.</blockquote>
The resolution was introduced as protests and riots spread across the country following the police-involved death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. The officer who held his knee to Floyd’s death for nearly nine minutes, Derek Chauvin, was arrested within days of the incident, yet the protests and riots continue.
Michigan is not the first state to introduce a resolution likening racism to a disease.
“Ohio on Wednesday also <a href="https://fox8.com/news/ohio-statehouse-resolution-would-be-first-in-u-s-to-declare-racism-a-public-health-crisis/">introduced a statewide resolution</a> to declare racism a public health crisis, after cities like Cleveland and Columbus had already done so,” Fox reported. “The Indianapolis City-County Council <a href="https://fox59.com/news/proposal-would-declare-racism-a-public-health-crisis-in-marion-county/">unanimously passed</a> a proposal Monday night to declare racism a public health crisis in Marion County, Ind. Montgomery County, Md., will vote to <a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-introducing-resolution-to-declare-racism-a-public-health-crisis">declare racism a public health crisis</a> in the county next week.”
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Protests

Democrats In Michigan Introduce Resolution Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis

Health

Systemic racism

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated that she supports the “idea” of the “defund the police” movement before dismissing any potential push to cut funding to Michigan law enforcement.
Whitmer, a Democrat, voiced support for “defund the police” on Tuesday in an interview with The Root. In general, “defund the police,” means cutting or abolishing police departments and spending those resources in areas such as education or social programs.
“It’s really about reprioritizing and rebuilding communities, not just policing,” Gov. Whitmer said, according to <a href="https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/06/09/michigan-gov-whitmer-supports-spirit-of-defunding-police-open-to-ending-qualified-immunity/">WDIV</a>. “You look at budgets and they’re focused on policing — they should be focused on education, transportation, access to health care, access to skills and leveling the playing field.&#8221;
“I think you do all those other things, you don’t need all the money that’s going to the police departments. So, yeah, I mean, the spirit of it, I do support that spirit of it,” Whitmer said.
She later backtracked on her comments in an interview with the <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/06/09/defunding-police-michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer/5329633002/">Detroit Free Press</a>, saying that she does not support cutting funding to law enforcement. She also suggested that Michigan police should get more money, not less.
“Perhaps the words that I used on &#8216;The Root&#8217; were maybe a little confusing, but they have never been other than I support rebuilding communities and rebuilding them in a way that creates real opportunity in an equitable and just manner,” Whitmer said.
“I don&#8217;t believe police should be defunded,” she added. “What I hear from all of my friends who are part of this moment and who are leading on the front lines is we have a real need for greater investment in communities” and “we need to rebuild and level the playing field through better schools and better transportation and access to health care and those are all the critical investments that I absolutely support.&#8221;
Asked if she believed funding to police should be decreased, Whitmer said, “we are underinvested in almost every realm in the state government.” When pressed again, she stated that police budgets should not be cut in order to fund social programs elsewhere.
Whitmer has been rumored to be in contention for the vice president spot on the campaign of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Whitmer has never explicitly denied the reports or said that should not serve if asked.
Former Vice President Biden wrote an op-ed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-pushes-back-on-calls-to-defund-police-proposes-300-million-for-law-enforcement-in-op-ed">published</a> on Wednesday reiterating his stance against defunding police departments. The Democratic candidate also went a step farther pushing for more funding for law enforcement to build up “community policing” initiatives that allow police officers to become more familiar with the neighborhoods and residents they cover.
“I do not support defunding police,” Biden wrote. “The better answer is to give police departments the resources they need to implement meaningful reforms, and to condition other federal dollars on completing those reforms.”
“I’ve long been a firm believer in the power of community policing — getting cops out of their cruisers and building relationships with the people and the communities they are there to serve and protect. That’s why I’m proposing an additional $300 million to reinvigorate community policing in our country,” he said.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Michigan’s Whitmer Says She Supports ‘Idea’ Of ‘Defund The Police,’ Then Suggests Police Are Underfunded

Defund The Police

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday overruled an appeals court that had ordered a local barbershop to close after violating the state’s coronavirus lockdown orders.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been in an escalating legal battle with Owosso barber <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/michigan-state-targets-elderly-barber-for-opening-shop-order-closure-owner-says-hes-staying-open-until-jesus-walks-in-or-they-arrest-me">Karl Manke</a> since Manke reopened his shop on May 4. The 77-year-old barber said that after weeks of a government-mandated shutdown he had to open or risk losing his business.
“It is incumbent on the courts to ensure decisions are made according to the rule of law, not hysteria,” State Supreme Court Justice David Viviano said in the <a href="https://courts.michigan.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/Clerks/RecentCourtOrders/19-20-Orders/161394%202020-06-05%20or.pdf">ruling</a>. “One hopes that this great principle — essential to any free society, including ours — will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19.”
The Supreme Court remanded the decision back down to the appeals court to decide again because the court violated court procedures in ordering an injunction against Manke’s business, according to Viviano.
The appeals court ordered Manke to close in a 2-1 ruling which did not meet the 3-0 threshold necessary to issue an injunction. The appeals court also rushed the judgment without “plenary consideration, full briefing, oral argument, or an opportunity for amici curiae to file briefs.”
In reconsidering the decision, the Court of Appeals should also weigh whether the issue of Manke’s shop being open is moot since Whitmer has said barbershops and salons will be allowed to open up on June 15. Whitmer opened much of the state last week, lifting the stay-at-home order. Restaurants and bars may begin serving patrons inside at 50% capacity on Monday.
State Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Manke in mid-May to force him to close his business for violating Whitmer’s lockdown order. The state had already attempted to force Manke closed by citing him and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/michigan-barber-promises-im-not-caving-after-state-suspends-his-license-for-violating-lockdown-order">revoking</a> his health license.
Whitmer’s reopening decision conflicts with her six-stage plan that classified restaurants and bars together with hairdressers and salons in stage 5 of reopening. When asked last week about the decision to keep barbershops closed, the governor said that people should “google” how to cut hair if they want a haircut.
Whitmer later apologized for her comment.
“I didn&#8217;t mean to offend people who are in the profession,” Whitmer said. “I think that it&#8217;s important, I think that it is licensed for a reason. These are professionals who take it seriously and intimately interact with the public, and that&#8217;s why we have to take this very seriously about how we proceed to keep people safe.
Barbershop and salon representatives have heavily <a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/salon-barbershop-owners-still-waiting-want-apology-from-whitmer-for-suggesting-to-google-how-to-cut-hair">criticized</a> Whitmer’s handling of the shutdown and reopening. Some have pointed out the contradictions in the governor’s reopening plan and her own decision-making, while others took issue with her directive for people to “google” how to cut hair while the state mandates professionals to be licensed.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Michigan Supreme Court Spikes Ruling To Close Michigan Barber For Violating Whitmer’s Shutdown Order

Coronavirus

During her Monday press conference, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) appeared to insult barbers and hairstylists when she suggested people who wanted their haircut should just “Google” how to cut their own hair.
Whitmer, whose own hair looks perfectly maintained despite the state’s coronavirus lockdown orders (which were lifted this month), had been asked during her press conference about Michigan residents traveling to Ohio to get their hair cut, since most other businesses were allowed to open in The Great Lake State.
“If you’re one of those people that’s going to Ohio I hope and pray that you are doing your part not to bring COVID-19 home. If you haven’t resorted to that, Google how to do a haircut, or throw your hair in a ponytail or curl it and get through the next couple of weeks so we can resume some of these things,” Whitmer said, <a href="https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/06/hairstylists-demand-apology-from-whitmer-for-suggesting-people-google-how-to-cut-hair.html">according to MLive</a>.
Whitmer was already facing criticism from salons and barbershops for leaving them out of Phase 4 of Michigan’s reopening, which allowed bars and restaurants to begin inviting guests inside.
In a press release, Mike Sarafa of the Alline Group and Kevin Lent of BAMF X2 expressed their dismay over Whitmer’s reopening plan.
“We are extremely frustrated by Governor Whitmer’s decision to open most of Michigan’s economy while keeping salons and barber shops closed,&#8221; the two wrote, adding that Safe Salons for Michigan had created a plan to allow salons and barbershops to reopen safely.
&#8220;Not only is this gutting the salon industry, but we are also losing business to neighboring states every day. We firmly believe we are safer open than closed. We urge Governor Whitmer to review our plan and allow licensed salons and barber shops to open immediately,” the press release said.
Sarafa was further insulted by Whitmer’s comments suggesting people could simply look up how to cut their own hair.
“I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire industry and the over 100,000 licensed cosmetologists and barbers in the state of Michigan, to ask the governor to apologize for this remark. She is speaking about the jobs of tens of thousands of Michigan voters that are either furloughed or unemployed,&#8221; Sarafa said while briefing state lawmakers on the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lansing on Tuesday. &#8220;It is insulting and degrading and a slap in the face to an industry already reeling from forced closures and shutdowns, and it is tone-deaf in the height of arrogance.”
Rachel and Scott Harned were also at the briefing, MLived reported, and explained to lawmakers just how many hours stylists spend learning proper sanitation techniques.
“They actually spend 130 hours devoted to sanitation, equipment safety, personal hygiene, we teach them not only hygiene in the salon but their own personal hygiene,” Scott Harned told the lawmakers.
So far, Whitmer has not apologized for her remarks.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Suggests People ‘Google’ How To Cut Their Own Hair, Faces Swift Backlash

COVID-19

Hair salon

Senate Republicans have released their first attack ad against Sen. Gary Peters as the GOP tries to oust the vulnerable Democrat.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) unveiled its ad against Peters on Monday, hitting the Michigan senator over his investments and personal finances. The ad strings together images of manufacturing workers and military members before cutting to Peters and accuses him of profiting at the expense of U.S. workers.
&#8220;Attention: if you or someone in your family worked in a Michigan manufacturing facility, or you prefer to buy &#8216;American made,&#8217; then this unfortunate message is for you,&#8221; the ad says. &#8220;Sen. Gary Peters and his family invested in companies that outsourced nearly 1,000 Michigan jobs to foreign countries, jobs that may be gone forever. But there is some good news, if you’re Gary Peters. Peters personal financial wealth has doubled since getting elected. How nice … for him.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
📺 🚨 NEW NRSC ad in Michigan senate race 🚨 📺
Attention Michigan Workers:
While investing in outsourcers, Democrat Senator Gary Peters&#39; net wealth has more than doubled since taking office. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIsen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIsen</a> 
WATCH: <a href="https://t.co/hdQdFVVLQU">pic.twitter.com/hdQdFVVLQU</a>
&mdash; Nathan Brand (@NathanBrandWA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NathanBrandWA/status/1267468435036033027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Peters’ office did not respond to a request for comment.
Peters invests in a wide variety of companies in sectors such as insurance, communications, and transportation. He holds stock in dozens of companies that operate in Michigan including AT&amp;T, McDonald’s, and Humana, according to reports on <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/assets/Gary-Peters?cid=N00029277&amp;year=2018">Open Secrets</a>. It is unclear whether he or an independent third party controls his investments.
Late last month, <a href="https://freebeacon.com/democrats/dem-senator-wants-bailout-for-his-own-pension/">The Washington Free Beacon</a> uncovered that Peters, who had an estimated net worth of over $4 million in 2018, has been accepting payments of $50,000 a year from the Michigan state pension fund, earned after serving eight years in the Michigan state legislature. At the same time, Peters and other Democrats have pushed for a federal bailout of the system while hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. The annual payment from the pension fund alone is nearly equal Michigan’s median income.
Peters is running for reelection against Republican challenger John James. James lost his initial bid for Senate against Democratic incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2018, but his campaign won him national attention and ample favor among party officials and influential conservatives in Michigan and across the country.
On May 14, National Review published a <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/06/01/john-james-the-michigan-gops-rising-star/">profile</a> of James titled “John James, the Michigan GOP’s Rising Star.”
Michigan Republicans see James’ candidacy as a chance to send a member of the GOP to the U.S. Senate for the first time in a quarter century. In Washington, James’ candidacy could prove key to holding Michigan for President Donald Trump against former Vice President Joe Biden, as well as fending off a Democratic effort to flip the Senate.
James&#8217; campaign has built an impressive fundraising machine with plenty of support, pushing him to <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/07/michigan-us-senate-race-john-james-outraises-gary-peters/2960325001/">outraise</a> the incumbent Peters for three quarters in a row. James’ total campaign finances still trail Peters’ by about $2.6 million, however, according to campaign finance <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2020&amp;id=MIS1">reports</a> from the first quarter of 2020.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Gary Peters

Senate GOP Take First Shot At Vulnerable Michigan Democrat

John James

A sheriff in Flint, Michigan, on Saturday, joined a throng of people who gathered to protest the death of an unarmed black man while being arrested in Minneapolis.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who is white, walked with protesters, talking with them about the George Floyd situation and asking residents how law enforcement can work better with them.
At one point, he gave an impromptu speech, a video of which has gone viral.
&#8220;We want to be with you all, for real,&#8221; Swanson said. &#8220;So, I took my helmet off, we laid the batons down. I want to make this a parade, not a protest,&#8221; he said, prompting cheers.
&#8220;These cops love you. That cop over there,&#8221; Swanson said, pointing to a deputy, &#8220;hugs people. So, you tell us what we need to do.&#8221;
The crowd began chanting &#8220;Walk with us! Walk with us,&#8221; and Swanson said, &#8220;let&#8217;s walk!&#8221;
<iframe title="Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joins protesters as they walk for George Floyd." width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O9jaEM49cIw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hundreds of protesters shut down a major road in Flint Township on Saturday, demanding justice for Floyd, a Minneapolis man who died after a police officer arresting him for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes on May 25. Videos shot by bystanders shows white Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck, even as Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Several other officers are seen nearby, but none took action.
Protesters carried signs that said “Black lives matter,” “White silence is violence,&#8221; and “Racism is still the biggest pandemic we face,&#8221; <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2020/05/flint-area-police-join-protesters-marching-to-seek-justice-for-george-floyd.html">MLive</a> reported. &#8220;Chants were heard, including &#8216;No justice, no peace, no racist police,'&#8221; the site said.
<blockquote>After more than two hours, the march was led to the Flint Township Police Department, where protesters were met with a line of Flint Township officers and Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies wearing riot gear and holding batons.
Protesters initially sat down to show their peace, and after conversations sparked between police and protesters, common ground was found. High-fives, hugs and fist bumps were exchanged.</blockquote>
That&#8217;s when Swanson took his helmet off and put down his baton, talked to the crowd, then joined the march, along with others in the sheriff&#8217;s department.
“This is the way it’s supposed to be — the police working with the community,” Swanson said as he walked with protesters. “When we see injustice, we call it out on the police side and on the community side. All we had to do was talk to them, and now we’re walking with them. &#8230; The cops in this community, we condemn what happened. That guy [Chauvin] is not one of us.&#8221;
“We can’t forget on all our police cars across the nation it says, ‘protect and serve,&#8217;” Swanson said. “That means all people, that means all people deserve the same dignity. If you can’t call out what’s wrong, try to make it right. And that’s the magic we saw tonight. Nobody’s arrested, nobody got hurt. This is how it’s supposed to be.”
At the end of the march, in the dark, Swanson addressed the crowd again.
&#8220;Hey, I want you to hear this. In my entire career, I will never forget this night. Because what I saw is what the entire nation saw when they see people that are angry, people that feel like they don&#8217;t have a voice, turn in a second when the police listen to them when the police understand them.
&#8220;And when I asked what I can do &#8212; because police condemn what happened in Minneapolis &#8212; that&#8217;s not who we are. There are good people that love you that need to hear what you have to say. And once we did that &#8212; I asked one question, &#8216;What do we need to do? and he said, &#8216;Walk with us.&#8217; And here we are, walking with you. Because all you&#8217;re asking for is a voice and dignity for all. No matter who you are. I love you guys, the police love you,&#8221; the sheriff said. &#8220;Enough is enough on our end, and we&#8217;re with you.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">member</a>.

Nightstick On Blue Camouflage Clothing

WATCH: Crowd Cheers As White Sheriff Takes Off Helmet, Lays Down Baton And Joins Protest March

George Floyd

Michigan’s health department is expected to roll out a comprehensive data set of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on long-term care facilities across the state on Friday, about two months after the state entered lockdown.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has been compiling and verifying data for over two weeks from local health officials and long-term care facilities across the state. The enhanced coronavirus tracking comes as Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer faces accusations that her policies have worsened the spread of COVID-19 among the state’s vulnerable elderly population.
The new MDHHS <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163_98173-526911--,00.html">dashboard</a> showing COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and other care centers was expected to be rolled out sometime this week, MDHHS Director Robert Gordon testified on May 13. By Thursday afternoon, the dashboard still was not operational, but displaying a message that “nursing facility data will be available once the transition period has ended and data appropriately validated.” The message says the transition period ended on May 25, and an MDHHS spokeswoman told The Daily Wire that the state plans “to begin reporting data” on Friday.
Reports suggest that the carnage in nursing homes is high. On Wednesday, Gordon reported early data on COVID-19 deaths linked to nursing homes in the metro Detroit area, the epicenter for the disease in the state. Local health officials in Detroit, as well as Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties had confirmed 1,372 COVID-19 deaths linked to nursing homes, alone making up 33% of the Michigan’s total number of fatalities from the virus, according to <a href="https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/05/27/michigan-lawmaker-calls-whitmers-covid-19-nursing-home-policy-most-idiotic-thing-we-could-come-up-with/">Local 4</a>.
State Rep. Leslie Love, a Democrat, was outraged at the report. Love’s mother lives in a nursing home and has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Why the state of Michigan has chosen this path is beyond me,” Love said, referring to Whitmer’s nursing home plan. “It seems like the most idiotic thing we could come up with.”
Once the dashboard is up, the state will get its first real look at how badly the virus has hit Michigan’s elderly since the pandemic began. For some Michigan lawmakers, the tracker has taken an unacceptably long time to arrive.
“Our nursing home population is better tracked than almost any other population in the entire state,” GOP state Sen. Lana Theis said in an <a href="https://misenate.viebit.com/player.php?hash=sFT0VD92rAW2">oversight committee hearing on May 20</a>. The spread of COVID-19 in elderly care homes “should have been already being tracked, and I just want to express my shock that we are in the scenario that we are in right now with [the MDHHS] unable to give us those numbers.”
Whitmer took one of her first steps to combat the coronavirus on March 10, declaring a state of emergency after the first two cases of COVID-19 were identified in the state. On March 24, Whitmer enacted her first stay-at-home order and has since extended that order for most of the state through June 12.
Whitmer’s administration began consulting with nursing home representatives sometime in mid-March, according to Senate testimony from two of those representatives on May 20. The governor held off taking directed action to protect nursing homes for about a month. On April 15, Whitmer issued an <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499-525941--,00.html">executive order</a> that critics say put nursing home residents at increased risk from the coronavirus by forcing patients hospitalized with the virus back into long-term care facilities ill-equipped to care for them.
Whitmer’s order set up regional hubs in long-term care facilities presumably equipped to care for coronavirus patients with minimal risk to non-COVID-19 residents. The strategy has gaps, however, as Love’s mother contracted the coronavirus while housed at one of the regional hubs.
The governor’s order also held that hospitalized nursing home residents should be returned to their original residence where possible to reduce strain on the hub system and reduce stress on elderly patients. Whitmer’s order required nursing homes “with a census below 80%” to “create a unit dedicated to the care of COVID-19-affected residents” with a group of staff assigned exclusively to it.
“Any long-term care facility that has a dedicated unit and provides appropriate [personal protective equipment (PPE)] to the direct-care employees who staff the dedicated unit must admit anyone that it would normally admit as a resident, regardless of whether the individual has recently been discharged from a hospital treating COVID-19 patients,” the order says.
The administration says that it never forced nursing homes to take coronavirus patients and that it left the choice up to nursing homes whether they could properly care for the patient or not. In a <a href="https://misenate.viebit.com/player.php?hash=VzZf4Nwv8wrI">May 13 oversight committee hearing</a>, Gordon and MDHHS Medical Services Administration Deputy Director Kate Massey asserted that hospital discharge to a nursing home is conditioned on appropriate staffing, PPE, and a dedicated unit.
“If those can’t be provided, then [accepting a recovering COVID-19 patient] is not required,” Massey said.
In an exchange with Theis during the May 13 hearing, Gordon pointed to Section 3, Part B of the executive order, which states (emphasis added): “The long-term care facility of origin must accept the return of the resident, provided it can meet the medical needs of the resident and there are no statutory grounds to refuse the return, as soon as capacity allows.”
Critics have compared Whitmer’s April 15 order to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s nursing home policy that required elderly care facilities to take in recovering coronavirus patients whether or not they tested positive for the virus. Cuomo eventually <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/andrew-cuomo-finally-reverses-order-forcing-nursing-homes-to-take-covid-patients-demands-testing-for-care-workers">rescinded</a> his order on May 10 and continues to be embroiled in scandal. Whitmer <a href="https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/05/whitmer-extends-executive-orders-for-child-care-access-long-term-care-facility-procedures.html">extended</a> her order days later on May 13. On May 20, Whitmer <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/21/whitmer-order-nursing-homes-care-facilities-pandemic/5234163002/">issued</a> an updated order with stricter oversight of nursing homes.
That order remains in place until June 17.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

‘Most Idiotic Thing’: Michigan To Get First Full Look At Pandemic’s Impact On Nursing Homes Months After Outbreak

Newly released emails show that Michigan Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer&#8217;s office gave the &#8220;green light&#8221; for taxpayer money to be awarded to Democrat groups as part of the state&#8217;s coronavirus tracing program.
&#8220;Whitmer’s office gave the &#8216;green light&#8217; for a COVID-19 contact tracing &#8216;arrangement&#8217; she denied knowledge of and canceled amid outcry over a contractor with Democratic ties,&#8221; Bridge Magazine, a local Michigan publication, <a href="https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/emails-show-whitmer-team-okd-contact-tracing-firm-democratic-ties">reported</a>. &#8220;Emails obtained through a public records request appear to show Michigan officials tried to avoid controversy by shifting work to apolitical subsidiaries of firms with known partisan leanings.&#8221;
Andrea Taverna, a senior adviser in the Michigan Department of the Health and Human Services, said in an email to other Michigan government officials: “We got the green light from EOG [the executive office of the governor] to move forward with a slightly different organizational arrangement of the contact tracing volunteer work. This would still be working with Mike Kolehouse, so work there isn&#8217;t lost &#8211; it&#8217;s just organized somewhat differently &#8211; see below.”
In late April, The Washington Free Beacon <a href="https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/michigan-governor-whitmer-awards-coronavirus-contract-to-dem-consulting-firm/">reported</a> that Whitmer had given control of the state&#8217;s contact tracing program to &#8220;one of the left’s biggest technology firms&#8221; and that the move was seen as potential way of her &#8220;using the coronavirus to strengthen the Democratic Party’s data operation.&#8221;
The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michigan-cancels-contract-with-two-democratic-linked-firms-that-had-been-tapped-to-track-coronavirus/2020/04/21/161a23ce-8413-11ea-ae26-989cfce1c7c7_story.html">reported</a> that the group that hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars were going to go &#8220;would be managed in coordination with EveryAction, a firm that is closely linked to NGP VAN, a technology provider that boasts that it powers &#8216;nearly every major Democratic campaign in America.'&#8221;
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel highlighted an alleged Facebook post from a Democrat operative who also revived a contract from Whitmer’s administration that stated: “I hope [Trump] gets Coronavirus ASAP. Can someone do the country a favor and cough on that man.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Kolehouse recently posted on social media that he hopes President Trump gets coronavirus.
This is who <a href="https://twitter.com/GovWhitmer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovWhitmer</a> is giving state contracts to? <a href="https://t.co/KTjPcepuFD">pic.twitter.com/KTjPcepuFD</a>
&mdash; Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) <a href="https://twitter.com/GOPChairwoman/status/1252716862816870400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Whitmer struggled to respond and had to resort to reading prepared notes when pressed during a news conference in April about why she awarded the contracts to partisan left-wing groups.
“When it was brought to my attention, I told them to cancel it,” Whitmer claimed. “This was an unnecessary distraction. Leadership is about solving problems. The correct process was not followed.”
Whitmer <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/governor-gretchen-whitmer-grilled-over-contract-scandal-has-to-use-notes-to-answer">refused to answer</a> who was responsible for making the decision to use those companies.
Whitmer is currently facing <a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/coronavirus/state-senator-lucido-calls-for-investigation-in-governor-whitmers-nursing-home-orders">calls</a> from Michigan state lawmakers to be investigated over her decision to send coronavirus patients to nursing homes.
The Detroit Free Press <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/17/nursing-home-data-needs-improvement-changes-coming/5199190002/">reported</a> that “thousands of nursing home residents across Michigan have fallen ill from the novel coronavirus and hundreds have died,” but the true extent of the devastation under Whitmer’s leadership is not known because “the state has yet to tally how many total nursing home residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the crisis began.”
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

New UAW President Addresses Annual UAW Convention

Emails Show Democrat Gretchen Whitmer’s Office Gave ‘Green Light’ To Give Taxpayer Money To Democrat Groups For Contact Tracing, Report Says

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has enacted some of the most restrictive COVID-19 rules in the country, but now she&#8217;s being accused of acting like they don&#8217;t apply to her.
On May 18, Whitmer announced that some lockdown restrictions would be lifted before Memorial Day weekend, allowing state residents to visit parks and lakes once again. But Whitmer warned: &#8220;If you don’t live in these regions &#8230; think long and hard before you take a trip into them.&#8221;
&#8220;A small spike could put the hospital system in dire straits pretty quickly. That’s precisely why we’re asking everyone to continue doing their part. Don’t descend on [waterfront] Traverse City from all regions of the state,&#8221; the Democratic governor said.
Three days later, a marina owner wrote a Facebook post that claimed Whitmer&#8217;s husband, Marc Mallory, had called to ask if the marina could put their boat into the water before Memorial Day, the <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/25/purported-northern-michigan-boat-request-fuels-controversy-gretchen-whitmer/5254889002/">Detroit News</a> reported Monday.
<blockquote>No longer visible to the public, Facebook posts from NorthShore Dock LLC and its owner, Tad Dowker, focused on what Dowker said was a request last week by Whitmer&#8217;s husband, Marc Mallory. The posts have drawn the attention of Republican state lawmakers, who said the Democratic governor&#8217;s family may not be following her guidance for the rest of the state.</blockquote>
In the Facebook post, Dowker wrote: &#8220;This morning, I was out working when the office called me, there was a gentleman on hold who wanted his boat in the water before the weekend. Being Memorial weekend and the fact that we started working three weeks late means there is no chance this is going to happen.&#8221;
&#8220;Well our office personnel had explained this to the man and he replied, &#8216;I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?'&#8221; wrote Dowker.
Whitmer and her husband, who live in the governor&#8217;s mansion in Lansing, also own a property in Elks Rapid, a three-hour drive from the state capital and not far from Traverse City.
Whitmer&#8217;s spokeswoman, Tiffany Brown, on Monday &#8220;didn&#8217;t confirm or deny&#8221; the claims, Detroit News reported. &#8220;Our practice is not to discuss the governor’s or her family’s personal calendar/schedules. And we’re not going to make it a practice of addressing every rumor that is spread online,&#8221; Brown said.
&#8220;There’s been a lot of wild misinformation spreading online attacking the governor and her family, and the threats of violence against her personally are downright dangerous,&#8221; she added.
Republican state Sen. Tom Barrett of Charlotte told Detroit News that while Whitmer urged state residents not to flock to Traverse City, and &#8220;Yet, what did her family try and do?&#8221;
&#8220;In the Army, we have a tradition that the leaders get in line for chow last behind everyone else in the unit,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Here is the leader of our state. … Her family is trying to cut people in line.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">member</a>.

Late Night with Seth Meyers &#8211; Season 7

Democrat Michigan Governor Blasted Over Husband’s Alleged Boat Request

On Friday, businessman and Republican Senate candidate John James of Michigan responded to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden&#8217;s controversial comment about black people who support President Donald Trump, who, apparently, according to Biden, &#8220;ain&#8217;t black.&#8221; James, a Trump supporter, let loose in a response video posted to social media, slamming Biden&#8217;s sentiment as &#8220;seriously condescending, out-of-touch bull crap&#8221; and ripping the presidential candidate for his Hillary Clinton-like pandering.
&#8220;Vice President [Joe Biden&#8217;s] latest quote is both pathetic &amp; hurtful,&#8221; James captioned the video. &#8220;Challenging millions on their blackness is condescending. The GOP was started to oppose slavery. I have the right to think and vote for myself along with all other Americans, including black Americans.&#8221; 

Biden was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-biden-if-you-have-a-problem-figuring-out-whether-youre-for-me-or-trump-then-you-aint-black">interviewed</a> by popular black commentator and radio host Charlamagne tha God earlier in the day when the comment was made. The 77-year-old defended his record on racial issues and, when told by Charlamagne that he had more questions for the Democrat, the former VP responded: “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
The comment sparked immediate backlash and consequential damage control from Team Biden, as well as an apology from the candidate himself.
James <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michigan-john-james-biden-blackness-comments">blasted</a> Biden, &#8220;I think that in civil discourse, we can have our disagreements on politics but you challenging me and millions of other people out there on their blackness &#8212; descendants of slaves, from you, is some seriously condescending, out-of-touch bull crap.&#8221;
&#8220;You&#8217;re embarrassing yourself, Mr. Vice President,&#8221; the Senate candidate continued, according to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michigan-john-james-biden-blackness-comments">Fox News</a>. &#8220;Should you even be running for president in the Democratic Party that says they&#8217;re for black people? Do you really believe that black people are owned by the Democratic Party? Do you really believe that a black person who doesn&#8217;t vote for you is therefore not legitimately black?&#8221;
&#8220;I am a man, Mr. Vice President. Too many people have died for me to have the right to think and vote for myself, but I wonder if Senator (Gary) Peters (D-MI) agrees with you,&#8221; James said. &#8220;I bet he does. When I get the chance to debate him, I think I&#8217;ll ask.&#8221;
Mocking Biden&#8217;s &#8220;code-switching&#8221; in the interview, James told the former VP, &#8220;You should also make sure you carry hot sauce in your purse next time.&#8221; During the 2016 presidential campaign, former Secretary of State Clinton said she always <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/04/18/hillary-clinton-joins-the-breakfast-club-to-talk-beyonce-hot-sauce-in-her-bag-swag/">keeps hot sauce in her purse</a>, a reference to a Beyonce song lyric, when speaking with &#8220;The Breakfast Club.&#8221;
During the Friday interview with Biden, Charlamagne told the presidential candidate, “a lot of black voters, including myself, feel” that “Democrats take black voters for granted.”
“What people don’t know about me is that I come from the state with the eighth largest black population in America,” Biden angrily responded. “I get 96% of that vote for the last 40 years. They are the first that, as I say it my way, ‘brung me to the dance.’… I get overwhelming support from the black leadership, young and old.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Vice President <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> ‘s latest quote is both pathetic &amp; hurtful. Challenging millions on their blackness is condescending. The GOP was started to oppose slavery. I have the right to think and vote for myself along with all other Americans, including black Americans. <a href="https://t.co/RRURX1eMbY">pic.twitter.com/RRURX1eMbY</a>
&mdash; John James (@JohnJamesMI) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnJamesMI/status/1263881111584870400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

GOP Senate Candidate John James Holds Election Night Event In Detroit

WATCH: Republican John James’ Viral Response to Biden’s ‘You Ain’t Black’ Comment

On Thursday night, President Trump targeted Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel after Nessel threatened the Ford Motor Company for allowing Trump to remove his mask while visiting their plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Nessel <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/politics/michigan-attorney-general-trump-ford-plant-cnntv/index.html">appeared on CNN</a> after Trump’s visit Thursday afternoon and threatened potential action against Ford.
&#8220;I think that we’re going to have to have a very serious conversation with Ford in the event that they permitted the President to be in publicly enclosed places in violation of the order,&#8221; said the Democratic attorney general. &#8220;They knew exactly what the order was and if they permitted anyone, even the President of the United States, to defy that order, I think it has serious health consequences potentially to their workers.&#8221;
Trump snapped back on Twitter, &#8220;The Wacky Do Nothing Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel, is viciously threatening Ford Motor Company for the fact that I inspected a Ventilator plant without a mask. Not their fault, &amp; I did put on a mask. No wonder many auto companies left Michigan, until I came along!&#8221;
The president added in a follow-up post: &#8220;Do nothing A.G. of the Great State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, should not be taking her anger and stupidity out on Ford Motor &#8211; they might get upset with you and leave the state, like so many other companies have &#8211; until I came along and brought business back to Michigan. JOBS!&#8221;
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The Wacky Do Nothing Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel, is viciously threatening Ford Motor Company for the fact that I inspected a Ventilator plant without a mask. Not their fault, &amp; I did put on a mask. No wonder many auto companies left Michigan, until I came along!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1263669433366728704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Do nothing A.G. of the Great State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, should not be taking her anger and stupidity out on Ford Motor &#8211; they might get upset with you and leave the state, like so many other companies have &#8211; until I came along and brought business back to Michigan. JOBS!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1263671099000315907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The back and forth between Trump and Nessel started on Wednesday when Nessel posted an <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Letter.President.Trump.5.20.20_691329_7.pdf">open letter</a> to Trump stating, “While my Department will not act to prevent you from touring Ford’s plant, I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford – and across this State – by wearing a facial covering. It is not just the policy of Ford, by virtue of the Governor’s Executive Orders. It is currently the law of this State.”
On Thursday, prior to Trump’s visit, Nessel appeared on CNN to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/michigan-democrat-attorney-general-warns-trump-wear-a-mask-or-youll-be-barred-from-closed-facilities-here">warn Trump to wear a mask</a> when he visited the plant or else be barred from any enclosed facilities in Michigan in the future. “Honestly, if he fails to wear a mask, he’s going to be asked not to return to any enclosed facility inside our state,” she said, as <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8344905/Michigan-AG-tells-Donald-Trump-told-not-come-refuses-wear-face-mask.html">The Daily Mail</a> reported.
&#8220;I know that Ford has asked him to do the same thing, but if we know that he’s coming to our state, and we know he’s not going to follow the law, I think we’re going to have to take action against any company or any facility that allows him inside those facilities and puts our workers at risk,&#8221; she threatened.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-defies-democrat-michigan-ag-on-wearing-facemask-she-unloads-threatens-ford">The Daily Wire</a> reported, while Trump initially chose to wear a mask while touring the plant in Ypsilanti, he took it off when he appeared in front of the cameras. Asked by a reporter why he wasn’t wearing a mask, Trump <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/21/trump-doesnt-wear-coronavirus-mask-to-ford-plant.html">said</a>, &#8220;Not necessary. Everybody’s been tested and I’ve been tested.&#8221; Noting that he &#8220;had one on before,&#8221; Trump said he took it off, explaining, &#8220;I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

President Trump Holds &#8220;Merry Christmas&#8221; Campaign Rally In Michigan

Michigan AG Attacks Ford Motor Co. For Letting Trump Remove Mask. Trump Fires Back With A Warning.

Dana Nessel

Ford Motor Co.

[WARNING: A VIDEO IN THIS PIECE CONTAINS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC CONTENT]
Law enforcement officials have arrested a man for allegedly beating an elderly man in a nursing home in Detroit, Michigan, after disturbing videos of the alleged incident surfaced online and were viewed millions of times.
&#8220;Police said in a statement that they are holding a 20-year-old man in connection to the assault and battery of an elderly male at a nursing home on Detroit’s west side,&#8221; The Detroit News reported. &#8220;A video had been posted on social media and shared several times by concerned citizens of an incident that allegedly occurred on May 15. Police said both the 75-year-old male victim and the suspect are patients at the nursing home located in the 16500 block of Schaefer.&#8221;
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said at a press conference,&#8221;The nursing home was unaware of the assault until they saw the video. We are still investigating that aspect of the case, but we do have a suspect in custody.&#8221;
Michigan Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer has not made any statements about the horrifying attack despite the fact that the video appears to have circulated widely online since early this week. The Daily Wire contacted Whitmer&#8217;s chief of staff, but did not receive an immediate response. However, Whitmer, who is reportedly being <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-michigan-gov-gretchen-whitmer-still-in-talks-to-be-bidens-vp">considered</a> as a potential vice president pick for presumptive Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden, has had time to go <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/02/coronavirus-covid-19-daily-show-comedy-central-whitmer/5115422002/">get</a> custom political t-shirts to promote herself on Comedy Central.
WATCH [WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT]:
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The Detroit Police have indicated there has been an arrest in this atrocity. No name, no picture and no indication of the citizenship status of the arrestee. This video will remain pinned here until they offer that information. What are they hiding? <a href="https://t.co/Dzs8QYykIv">pic.twitter.com/Dzs8QYykIv</a>
&mdash; James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/1263565728386387968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Whitmer is facing a similar scandal as New York Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo over her coronavirus nursing home policy, which reportedly instructed nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients.
The Detroit News Editorial Board <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2020/05/20/editorial-whitmer-order-endangers-nursing-homes-end-now/5220929002/">wrote</a>:
<blockquote>Gov. Gretchen Whitmer must reverse course on her executive order that is placing Michigan’s most vulnerable seniors at risk. It’s a matter of life and death.
In mid-April Whitmer issued an executive order that ultimately instructed many of the state&#8217;s nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients. That put other residents in jeopardy, and may well have contributed to the high death rate in Michigan nursing homes.
About a third of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have been at nursing homes, and the same is true in Michigan, according to some estimates — although the state Department of Health and Human Services hasn’t been able to offer concrete numbers.</blockquote>
The Detroit News added that lawmakers in the state have demanded an investigation into Whitmer&#8217;s order directing nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients.
Whitmer has come under intense fire for numerous highly controversial decisions that her administration has made during the coronavirus, including the decision to give taxpayer money to Democrat organizations and operations.
The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/governor-gretchen-whitmer-grilled-over-contract-scandal-has-to-use-notes-to-answer">reported</a>:
<blockquote>Michigan Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer struggled to defend her administration on Wednesday when she was grilled over a scandal involving who was responsible for awarding taxpayer-funded coronavirus relief money to Democrat organizations and operatives.
Whitmer rushed to cancel the contracts on Tuesday after information surfaced online about who the entities were who were going to receive the funds.
When asked during a press conference on Wednesday about who was responsible for selecting the partisan organizations, Whitmer refused to answer and had to repeatedly look down at her notes.</blockquote>
Hundreds of thousands of people in Michigan have signed an online petition to recall Whitmer over her controversial handling of the pandemic in her state.
&#8220;Michigan now bans lawn and landscaping services, motor boating and golf. Large stores can’t sell paint, furniture or garden equipment,&#8221; The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/michigans-draconian-lockdown-provokes-a-backlash-11587163325">reported.</a> &#8220;People aren’t allowed to travel between residences, which blocks them from visiting second homes and hunting cabins. Long-distance drives that don’t meet a “critical” need, according to the governor’s definition, are prohibited.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Michigan Democrats On The Midterm Ballot Attend Election Night Party In Detroit

Detroit Police Make Arrest After Horrifying Video Emerges Of Elderly Man Beaten At Nursing Home. Governor Gretchen Whitmer Silent.

Crime

Detroit

On Thursday, Michigan&#8217;s attorney general threatened President Trump that he will be told not to visit any enclosed facility in Michigan in the future if he didn’t wear a face mask when visiting a Ford Motor plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Thursday afternoon.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who like Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a Democrat, told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/politics/michigan-attorney-general-trump-ford-plant-cnntv/index.html">CNN</a>, “Honestly, if he fails to wear a mask, he&#8217;s going to be asked not to return to any enclosed facility inside our state,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8344905/Michigan-AG-tells-Donald-Trump-told-not-come-refuses-wear-face-mask.html">The Daily Mail</a> reported.
In late April, Whitmer issued an <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-526894--,00.html">executive order</a> stating, “Any individual able to medically tolerate a face covering must wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth—such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief—when in any enclosed public space … all businesses and operations whose workers perform in-person work must, at a minimum, provide non-medical grade face coverings to their workers.”
“Ford has a policy that all visitors must wear personal protective equipment and originally indicated Trump would wear one. But the company later backed down and said the White House has its own protective procedures and will make its own determinations about whether masks will be worn,” The Daily Mail noted.
Nessel continued, “&#8217;I know that Ford has asked him to do the same thing, but if we know that he&#8217;s coming to our state, and we know he&#8217;s not going to follow the law, I think we&#8217;re going to have to take action against any company or any facility that allows him inside those facilities and puts our workers at risk. We simply can&#8217;t afford it here in our state … We are just asking that President Trump comply with the law in our state, just as we would make the same request of anyone else in those plants … We&#8217;re asking if President Trump doesn&#8217;t care about his own health, doesn&#8217;t care about the health and the safety of people who work in those facilities, at least care about the economic situation of, you know, costing these facilities so much money by having to close down and disinfect the plant after he leaves.”
UPDATE: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-defies-democrat-michigan-ag-on-wearing-facemask-she-unloads-threatens-ford">Trump Defies Democrat Michigan AG On Wearing Facemask; She Unloads, Threatens Ford</a>
Nessel also wrote an <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Letter.President.Trump.5.20.20_691329_7.pdf">open letter</a> to Trump Wednesday in which she stated:
<blockquote>In light of the current global health crisis, Governor Whitmer has issued Executive Orders designed to safeguard the sustained viability of our businesses and protect the health and safety of our workers.  Executive Order 2020-91 requires that manufacturing facilities “suspend all non- essential in-person visits, including tours.” (Section 4) It also requires facilities to conduct a daily screening protocol for employees and “any other individuals entering the facility” (Section 4), and that everyone on the worksite be “kept at least six feet from one another to the maximum extent possible.” (Section 1)
Moreover, Executive Order 2020-92 requires that any individual able to medically tolerate a facial covering wear one when in any enclosed public space. (Section 15) We know that Ford Motor Company takes the legal requirements of the Governor’s Executive Orders very seriously. In fact, a spokesperson for Ford has confirmed that the company shared its safety protocols with the White House in advance of your trip.
While my Department will not act to prevent you from touring Ford’s plant, I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford – and across this State – by wearing a facial covering. It is not just the policy of Ford, by virtue of the Governor’s Executive Orders. It is currently the law of this State.</blockquote>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Candidate for Michigan attorney general promises she won&#8217;t &#8216;sexually harass&#8217; staff if elected

Michigan Democrat Attorney General Warns Trump: Wear A Mask Or You’ll Be Barred From Closed Facilities Here

Federal officials stripped a Michigan dam’s license to operate in 2018, turning oversight over to state regulators before the dam failed on Wednesday and caused severe flooding throughout the region.
State officials inspected the dam and its spillways shortly after the dam’s license was revoked, declaring that the dam stood in “fair structural condition.” Regulators quickly moved on to tracking freshwater mussels in the area, which were being threatened by what they deemed was an unlawful drawdown of Wixom Lake, according to <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/20/dangers-edenville-dam-failure-evaded-state-scrutiny/5228559002/">The Detroit News</a>.
The Edenville Dam, operated by Boyce Hydro, failed after heavy rains pounded the area. The breach overwhelmed another dam and caused roughly 10,000 people to flee from their homes just hours before up to 9 feet of water swamped parts of Midland County, Michigan.
Michigan officials at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said that regulators did not have sufficient time after taking over oversight of the damn from federal authorities to thoroughly inspect the structure and catch up on the state of the dam. Federal officials had been prodding the dam’s current and former owners to address structural issues for nearly two decades.
&#8220;The state has only had authority over the dam for a year and a half,&#8221; department spokesman Nick Assendelft said. &#8220;Having not had a previous regulatory role we started from Ground Zero in our assessment of various aspects of the dam’s condition and capacity.&#8221;
The governor and state attorney general have said they plan to find the parties responsible for the disaster and hold them accountable.
&#8220;Regarding the dams, the state of Michigan is reviewing every potential legal recourse that we have cause this incredible damage requires that we hold people responsible,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui2wQekQzTohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui2wQekQzTo">said</a> on Wednesday. “We are all trying to understand all the different proceedings that have taken place up to this point. The initial readout is that this was a known problem for a while and that’s why it is important that we do our due diligence and take action.”
The governor has declared a state of emergency and called on the federal government for aid.
“Over the past two days, a major rainfall event in mid-Michigan led to the failure of two dams and severe flooding in affected areas. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate as water surged into their streets, homes, and businesses in the county of Midland,” Whitmer said in a <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640-529848--,00.html">statement</a>.
“If you have not evacuated the area, do so now and get somewhere safe,” Whitmer <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640-529650--,00.html">said</a>. “This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County. If you have a family member or loved one who lives in another part of the state, go there now. If you don’t, go to one of the shelters that have opened across the county.”
The catastrophe has wrecked the state’s strategy for handling the coronavirus pandemic, forcing people to move in with relatives across the state or into shelters.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/catastrophic-michigan-dam-failure-forces-thousands-from-their-homes">The Daily Wire</a> reported:
“The incident is proving difficult for Michigan and its governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, who has been adamant about enforcing the state’s coronavirus-related stay-at-home order. Now, residents of Midland and surrounding areas must break quarantines and self-isolation to stay with friends and family or in designated emergency shelters until the water recedes.”
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Michigan flooding

Feds Stripped Michigan Dam’s License Two Years Before Collapse

Thousands of Michigan residents are seeking shelter Wednesday after a catastrophic dam failure caused a major flooding emergency &#8212; and some residents could soon be under nine feet of water.
The Edenville and Sanford Dams, which control water flow around Midland, Michigan, a town towards the center of Michigan&#8217;s &#8220;mitten&#8221; and about 160 miles north and west of Detroit, collapsed Tuesday afternoon after the state saw record rainfall, forcing authorities to break coronavirus-related lockdowns and evacuate around 10,000 residents who live near the Tittabawassee River and other connected bodies of water.
&#8220;The Tittabawassee River was at 30.5 feet and rising Tuesday night — flood stage is 24 feet. The river rose another four feet by Wednesday morning, to 34.4 feet in Midland. According to the National Weather Service, the height has set a new record for the river, beating the previous record of 33.9 feet set during flooding in 1986,&#8221; <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michigan-dam-breach-failure-evactuation-10000-state-of-emergency/">CBS News reported Tuesday</a>.
Authorities also said that the water could get as high as nine feet in some areas of Midland, including the city&#8217;s downtown, putting most of the area&#8217;s residents under water.
The incident is proving difficult for Michigan and its governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, who has been adamant about enforcing the state&#8217;s coronavirus-related stay-at-home order. Now, residents of Midland and surrounding areas must break quarantines and self-isolation to stay with friends and family or in designated emergency shelters until the water recedes.
&#8220;In the next 12 to 15 hours, downtown Midland could be under approximately 9 feet of water,&#8221; Whitmer said in a press conference held late Tuesday night. &#8220;We are anticipating an historic high water level.&#8221;
&#8220;This is unlike anything we&#8217;ve seen in Midland County,&#8221; she added, implying an emergency suspension of her lockdown orders. &#8220;If you have a family member or loved one who lives in another part of the state, go there now.&#8221;
The state is urging those who must seek shelter to continue to abide by whatever safety measures they can, to practice social distancing and wear a mask if possible. Shelters, serving those who have been evacuated, are struggling to place individuals and families at least six feet apart to prevent the spread of coronavirus as evacuees are already handling potentially major losses.
Midland residents say they&#8217;re shocked at the dam failure and are struggling to handle the flooding in addition to the ongoing pandemic.
&#8220;You gotta uproot and go amid everything else going on this year. This is pretty unreal,&#8221; one resident <a href="https://www.wnem.com/news/midland-county-residents-evacuating-after-dam-collapses/article_ed8b771c-9a3a-11ea-8752-271003ec4545.html">told local media</a>.
Although it is not yet clear what led to the dam failure, <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/20/edenville-dam-power-license-revoked-failure-reinforce-structure/5226539002/">the Detroit News</a> reported early Wednesday that Federal officials &#8220;notified the [Edenville] dam&#8217;s previous owner as far back as 1999 that it needed to increase capacity of the Edenville dam&#8217;s spillways to prevent a significant flood from overcoming the structure.&#8221;
After what Federal authorities say was years of mismanagement and neglect, citations and violations, including &#8220;making unauthorized repairs, unauthorized earth moving, failure to file proper safety plans, failure to provide recreational areas and public access, failure to secure necessary property rights and failure to comply with water quality orders,&#8221; the dam&#8217;s owner finally agreed to a major, $100 million overhaul in 2019 &#8212; an overhaul that had yet to happen when the dam failed Tuesday.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

michigan flood

Catastrophic Michigan Dam Failure Forces Thousands From Their Homes

In a social media post Wednesday, President Trump threatened to withhold federal funding to Michigan for what he described as a &#8220;rogue Secretary of State&#8221; &#8220;illegally&#8221; sending absentee ballots to 7.7 million people — a claim prompted by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson&#8217;s announcement of a plan to send absentee ballot applications to qualified Michigan voters.
&#8220;Breaking: Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election,&#8221; the president tweeted. &#8220;This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!&#8221; Trump followed up the post by tagging Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, Trump&#8217;s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and the U.S. Treasury Department.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/RussVought45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RussVought45</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkMeadows?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkMeadows</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/USTreasury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USTreasury</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1263074784499372032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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While Trump accused Benson of &#8220;send[ing] absentee ballots&#8221; to millions of residents, the Democratic Secretary of State&#8217;s plan is to first send the 7.7 million qualified voters applications for the ballots.
Benson quickly responded to Trump&#8217;s tweet by highlighting the distinction between sending out ballots and ballot applications.
&#8220;Hi! I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson,&#8221; she tweeted in response. &#8220;And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia.&#8221;
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Hi! 👋🏼 I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson. And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia. <a href="https://t.co/kBsu4nHvOy">https://t.co/kBsu4nHvOy</a>
&mdash; Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JocelynBenson/status/1263089382690631680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
But people on Trump&#8217;s side, including Republican strategist and adviser to Donald Trump Jr. <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/person/s/andrew-surabian">Andrew Surabian</a>, argue that Trump is right that Benson has acted &#8220;illegally.&#8221;
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To the people attacking <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> for his tweet on absentee ballot applications in Michigan:
According to the law, he&#39;s 100% right 👇👇👇 <a href="https://t.co/fbvmjTBF5Z">https://t.co/fbvmjTBF5Z</a>
&mdash; Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) <a href="https://twitter.com/Surabees/status/1263086748126625793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Benson announced Tuesday that she will mail all of Michigan&#8217;s 7.7 million voters an absentee voter application, an effort first employed in the May 5 election to curb in-person voting amid the coronavirus,&#8221; <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/20/trump-threatens-michigan-funding-over-bensons-decision-mail-absentee-apps/5226908002/">The Detroit News</a> explains. &#8220;Benson said earlier this month she was focused on educating voters on their right to vote absentee for no reason, a move approved by voters in 2018.&#8221;
Sending out the ballot applications to everyone, Benson said Tuesday, is part of her &#8220;responsibility to provide all voters equal access.&#8221;
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&#8220;By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,&#8221; said Benson as The Detroit News reported. &#8220;Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.&#8221;
The $4.5 million move will depend on federal CARES Act funding. While Benson maintains that she has the authority to make the significant decision, Republicans in the state are pushing back on the &#8220;unilateral move.&#8221;
“I do question how and why this specific mailing was done right now,&#8221; said former Michigan Secretary of State and current Republican Senator Ruth Johnson, the Detroit News reports. &#8220;&#8230; Like Gov. Whitmer, Secretary Benson seems to be taking unilateral actions with no input and questionable motives — and that is very troubling.&#8221;
The Democrat-Republican debate over absentee ballots has been inflamed by the coronavirus pandemic, as states, particularly Democrat-controlled states like Michigan, increasingly eye remote voting for the 2020 primary and general elections.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.  
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President Trump

Trump Threatens To Withhold Michigan Funding Over ‘Illegal’ Absentee Ballot Plan; MI Sec. State Responds

A Democratic sheriff in Michigan said his officers would not penalize residents and business owners for violating Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s lockdown order but walked back his statements soon after.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson was the latest local law enforcement head to buck Whitmer’s mandate, saying he was not “writing tickets” for lockdown violations. A day later, though, he offered a confusing explanation of his stance while walking back his commitment not to enforce the governor’s heavy-handed actions.
Swanson appeared on “<a href="https://www.nobsnewshour.com/no-bs-news-hour-may-17th-2020/">No Bullshit Hour</a>,” a popular Michigan radio show, on Friday and told host Charlie LeDuff that the sheriff’s office has not and does not plan to enforce Whitmer’s coronavirus lockdown orders.
“You know people have to talk about the Constitution in its entirety, and that’s the separation of powers, and the sheriff is the executive branch of that separation. We enforce laws with discretion,” Swanson began. He added that the courts should decide whether a law is constitutional or not.
Swanson continued:
<blockquote>“It is dangerous for police officers to determine what’s right and what’s wrong. Otherwise I could look at Lafayette [Boulevard in Detroit] and say, ‘You know, by the order of the sheriff, I don’t agree with the speed limit. Go as fast as you want.’ I can’t do that. But what I can do is say, ‘I’m not going to park cars there and pull over everybody that’s going one [mph] over.’ I tell this to my people in Genesee County, because I have seen people and I have seen people on the nursing side, we’re going to talk about that; the business side, they’re dying. We have not raided a business. We have not shut a business down. We’re not pulling people over. We’re not writing tickets, and don’t expect us to do it.”</blockquote>
On Saturday, Swanson released a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/geneseecountysheriffsoffice/videos/822848618118745">video</a> on the sheriff department’s Facebook page expressing support for Whitmer’s lockdown, but muddying his stance on whether he intends to enforce the lockdown orders or not.
“Make no mistake, I applaud the governor and the governor’s office for the executive orders that they’ve done to protect the health and safety of this community and across the state,” Swanson said. “But there is a little bit more that creates conversation and that is what is this sheriff’s office doing for people that still have some questions. Well, let me assure you this: nobody want’s anybody arrested, be hauled to jail, to be criminalized … Even the governor doesn’t want that.”
Swanson said that he is asking for “voluntary compliance” with Whitmer’s orders and that he does not plan on arresting people or raiding businesses “as long as you do your part and I do my part.”
“Be very cautious not to put other people’s public health at risk. Use good sound judgement; we want compliance, not defiance,” Swanson continued. “I can tell you if you put other people’s public safety at risk that’s no different than victimizing them in a crime.”
Swanson did not respond to repeated requests for clarification.
Whitmer is increasingly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/another-michigan-hairdresser-breaks-lockdown-as-barber-bashes-police-state-that-shut-him-down">struggling</a> to keep Michiganders and law enforcement officers abiding by her executive orders. She has extended her state’s lockdown to at least May 28, and has signaled that she will extend it further depending on how the state’s coronavirus pandemic develops. Michigan’s daily reported cases have been declining since early April.
Her authority to keep her state in lockdown is slowly slipping away as more residents, businesses, law enforcement, and judges refuse to implement her strict orders. In the town of Owosso, a barber opened his shop May 4 and stayed open nearly two weeks despite receiving two citations. A local judge denied a request for a restraining order against the barber from Michigan’s attorney general, and the sheriff overseeing Owosso has declared that he will not enforce the state’s lockdown order.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

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