Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ripped President Donald Trump for imploring governors to "dominate" the protesters to "take back your streets" that have been ravaged by people rioting in communities around the country in response to the killing of George Floyd.
Trump made the comments during a call Monday with governors around the country.
"The president's dangerous comments should be gravely concerning to all Americans, because they send a clear signal that this administration is determined to sow the seeds of hatred and division, which I fear will only lead to more violence and destruction," Whitmer said in a statement Monday. "We must reject this way of thinking. This is a moment that calls for empathy, humanity, and unity."
Whitmer rejected Trump's call to crack down on rioters.
"Instead of offering support or leadership to bring down the temperature at protests, President Trump told governors to 'put it down' or we would be 'overridden.' He said governors should 'dominate' protesters, 'or you'll look like a bunch of jerks,'" Whitmer said. "The president repeatedly and viciously attacked governors, who are doing everything they can to keep the peace while fighting a once-in-a-generation global pandemic."
Rather than listen to Trump, Whitmer wants the governors to "heed the powerful words" of President Barack Obama, who wrote an essay on Monday about the protest.
"If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation's long journey to live up to our highest ideals," Obama wrote on Medium.
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