KALKASKA COUNTY, MI – Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer angered Republican leaders over her lockdowns for the state over the pandemic. They recently started a push to have her impeached, and now, a northern Michigan County has put their support behind an impeachment inquiry.
JUST IN: Michigan Republicans file articles of impeachment against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer https://t.co/wvJlGlmRmZ pic.twitter.com/vbRvLcyW9g
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 19, 2020
County officials with Kalkaska County in Michigan recently announced their support for Republican led inquiries into Whitmer’s actions during the pandemic. The decision to move forward with an impeachment inquiry was announced after county commissioners approved of the investigation by a 4-2 vote.
ABC 4 reported that Kalkaska County Commissioner David Comai, in speaking as to why the measure passed in his county, said:
“Unconstitutional executive orders, let me make that very clear, the executive orders issued by Governor Whitmer are the primary cause of the economic crisis Kalkaska County is experiencing.”
A day after Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield both said they don’t support the effort, Republican Reps. Beau LaFave, Matt Maddock and Daire Rendon have introduced an impeachment resolution against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
— Jonathan Oosting (@jonathanoosting) November 18, 2020
Now that the measure has passed in Kalkaska County, it will be sent to the legislature where it most likely will not be heard until the start of the new year. Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield, according to ABC 4, disagrees with the move and believes that an effort to impeach Whitmer would be no different than the Democrat’s impeachment of President Donald Trump earlier in the year.
The move to impeach Whitmer over her pandemic restrictions was started by state Republican Representative, Matt Maddock, which was announced on November 15th. In a tweet, Maddock said:
“Today, myself and a growing list of Michigan legislators have decided @GovWhitmer has crossed the line and will be calling for #ImpeachWhitmer hearings. The list of violations is long and the call is overdue.”
Today, myself and a growing list of Michigan Legislators have decided that @GovWhitmer has crossed the line and will be calling for #ImpeachWhitmer hearings. The list of violations is long and the call is overdue #MIGOP #MILEG
— Matt Maddock (@matthewmaddock) November 16, 2020
The issue behind the move to impeach Whitmer stems from Republican complaints in the lockdowns of the state and their, alleged, lack of input on the restrictions. Republican leader arguments may have some credibility after they won a case against Whitmer in Michigan Supreme Court.
When the case was heard in October, the Michigan Supreme Court agreed with Republican leaders that Whitmer overstepped her bounds and stripped away several of her emergency powers.
Whitmer had been relying on the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act from 1945 to enact the measures which was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This decision, in essence, nullified several of Whitmer’s restrictions that were in effect when the ruling was made.
Republicans are hoping that this court ruling will aid in the endeavor to remove Whitmer from office. However, in order to remove her from office, they have to prosecute the case using the same process as removing the President of the United States.
In the state of Michigan, the House of Representatives initiates the impeachment. In order for it to proceed, it has to receive a majority vote. Republicans may well have enough votes to get the measure approved in the house as Republicans will have a 58-52 majority at the start of the new year.
Michigan County Commission Backs Gretchen Whitmer Impeachment Effort https://t.co/Ockt1YGI2C
— Kathy Lonon, #NotMyPedophile (@LononKathy) November 26, 2020
If a majority votes to move forward on impeachment, three representatives would be appointed to prosecute the impeachment case in front of the State Senate. Of course, Whitmer would be able to have her representatives act in her defense during the hearing.
In order for Whitmer to be removed, two-thirds of the state senators would have to vote to remove her from office. That is where the Republican’s case may well stall, considering they only have a 22-16 majority in the chamber.
That means that four democrats would have to side with Republican lawmakers and convict her in order for Whitmer to be removed, which seems unlikely.
In response to the impeachment effort, a representative of Whitmer’s, said:
“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.”
Michigan Attorney General will no longer enforce Whitmer’s executive order of mask mandates
October 5, 2020
MICHIGAN– Governors all across the nation have imposed various forms of mask and quarantine mandates since the start of the Coronavirus.
Now, Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, will no longer be enforcing the mask mandate and other Covid related orders that were imposed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
This decision comes after the Michigan Supreme Court struck down a law underpinning them on Friday, October 2nd.
UPDATE: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will no longer enforce Gov. Whitmer’s executive orders by criminal prosecution.
She urges residents to continue following COVID-19 safety guidelines.
— Sierra Searcy (@SierraSearcyTV) October 5, 2020
The Detroit News reported:
“Nessel’s decision comes as Whitmer’s team has argued that her orders would stay in effect for 21 days after the ruling, a reference to a 21-day period in which parties can ask for reconsideration.
“But opponents have said the 21-day rule doesn’t apply to rulings issued in response to a federal certified question as was the case in Friday’s Supreme Court decision.”
While the decision was pending, Police departments across the state were said to be waiting for a directive from Nessel’s office.
After the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against Whitmer on Friday, Attorney General Dana Nessel released a statement on how her office will handle the governor’s executive orders moving forward.https://t.co/FvD6L4mgQf
— 9 & 10 News (@9and10News) October 5, 2020
Press Secretary Ryan Jarvi said in a statement:
“[Its decision] is not binding on other law enforcement agencies or state departments with independent enforcement authority.”
The statement went on to encourage people to still follow safe measures, although voluntary now, and applaud the steps Whitmer took to handle the unprecedented situation.
According to Deadline Detroit, Whitmer has said that at least some of her orders can remain in place through “alternative sources of authority.” Experts have said the state’s health department has the power respond to epidemics under a separate law.
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