Michigan Republicans file articles to impeach Gov. Whitmer
LANSING, Mich. — Three Republican representatives introduced impeachment articles against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, claiming she violated the Michigan Constitution.
In the resolution Nov. 19, 2020, Reps. Beau LaFave, Matt Maddock and Daire Rendon claimed Whitmer conducted crimes and misdemeanors by exceeding her authority.
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"She has exceeded her constitutional authority, violated the constitutional rights of the people of Michigan, issued orders that are not in the best interests of the people of this state, and used the Pandemic as an opportunity to reward political allies," the resolution stated.
Michigan House Speak Lee Chatfield shut down calls to impeach Whitmer Wednesday, the day before three Republicans introduced the impeachment articles.
“It’s no secret that I disagree with a lot of what this governor has done,” Chatfield told News Channel 3 Wednesday. “I’ve even taken the governor to court and won, because of how she dealt with COVID-19, but Republicans are not the party that impeach someone because we disagree with them," Chatfield said.
Whitmer has issued numerous executive orders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, that have received backlash from Republican lawmakers.
In April 2020, Whitmer extended the state of emergency without Legislature approval, sparking a lawsuit filed by Republican leaders, who claimed she overstepped her authority. The Michigan Court of Claimed ruled in favor of Whitmer.
Whitmer also used her once-executive powers to ban medical, dental, and veterinarian procedures that she deemed "non-essential." The three Republican representatives said in the impeachment articles that although the ban did not serve as an immediate health risk to patients, the "non-essential" procedures were "still needed to preserve patients’ quality of life and long-term well-being."
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The ban on motorized motorboats was also mentioned in the impeachment articles. In the early months of the pandemic, Whitmer issued the executive order, which she later reversed.
"...the lack of consistency and clear justification for certain prohibitions was arbitrary and not necessary for the protection of public health," the impeachment articles stated.
Tiffany Brown, press secretary for Whitmer, issued a statement on behalf of the governor.
“Governor Whitmer doesn't have any time for partisan politics or people who don't wear masks, don't believe in science, and don't have a plan to fight this virus. Right now, she is focused on saving lives. The governor will continue to work hard for all 10 million Michiganders. This is about Michigan vs. COVID-19. Governor Whitmer doesn't care if you're a Trump Republican or a Biden Democrat. We are all in this together," Brown said in a written statement.
Whitmer's emergency powers were stripped away after Michigan Supreme Court declared the 1945 law as unconstitutional. The decision revoked Whitmer's emergency declaration and related orders within 21 days.
On Oct. 9, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an epidemic order to replace Whitmer's executive orders.
The order limited the amount of people in stores, bars and public venues, and required face masks in gatherings.
As of Nov. 19, another order by the state health department was in place to close down indoor dining among other restrictions.
Samantha May is a digital news producer, and can be reached at samay@sbgtv.com.
