President Trump on Friday appeared to back protesters in three states with Democratic governors who are gathering in opposition to extended stay-at-home orders and other restrictions meant to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
One day after Trump reportedly told governors they would “call the shots” in determining when to lift social distancing guidelines in their states, Trump heightened tensions between demonstrators and the Democratic governors in Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia.
“LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” Trump tweeted, followed quickly by a call to “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”
“LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!” Trump tweeted, a reference to the state’s expanded background checks and limits on gun purchases signed into law last week.
All three states are broadly seen as swing contests in the 2020 presidential election. Trump won Michigan in 2016 in an upset and has hopes of taking Minnesota, though it has been decades since that state voted for a Republican as president. Trump will also be an underdog in the presidential race in Virginia.
The tweets come amid a growing trend of protesters gathering at state capitols to express displeasure with governors who have imposed stringent measures to close non-essential businesses and urge residents to remain in their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Thousands of people gathered in Michigan on Thursday to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) extension of a stay-at-home order, with many donning Trump apparel or waving flags with the president’s name. Whitmer has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate for Democrats.
A smaller protest took place in Richmond to oppose Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) order, which is in place until early June.
A group calling itself “Liberate Minnesota” was set to protest outside Gov. Tim Walz’s residence on Friday, according to local reports.
More protests are expected in the coming days in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Idaho and elsewhere. State officials and public health experts warn that the large gatherings could inadvertently lead to further spread of the coronavirus, extending the need to impose stay-at-home orders and other measures.
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JUST IN: Trump appears to back those protesting social distancing measures in Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia https://t.co/sqXUBO4gTb pic.twitter.com/1OJJi2CYTX
— The Hill (@thehill) April 17, 2020
It is the President of the United States, literally trying to divide the Union. https://t.co/09KLq9ycJA
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) April 17, 2020
This is fine, because there's no recent instance–say, while Trump's been president–of acts of violence by people egged on by this kind of demagoguery in Virginia. https://t.co/iC1NMR8VJX pic.twitter.com/KvRCoaChnN
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 17, 2020
President Trump on Friday issued an online call to "LIBERATE" Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia, all states where protesters have gathered in public this week to demonstrate against stay-at-home orders issued by Democratic governors https://t.co/4qaVpFruTT
— POLITICO (@politico) April 17, 2020
Way to desecrate the flag AND kill your neighbors, Trumpers. https://t.co/92ebJliB65
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 17, 2020
Thousands of people from all over Michigan are converging on our state Capitol today to protest the governor’s restrictive “Stay Home” order and get their voices, and car horns, heard. #OperationGridlock pic.twitter.com/bgjH4wKCUQ
— MI House Republicans (@MI_Republicans) April 15, 2020
When you're a bad person whose wealth insulates you from the consequences of saying stupid – and incendiary – things in public. https://t.co/O84NIESyKJ
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) April 17, 2020
Good to see a steady hand on the tiller during a national emergency. All glory to the Republican Senators who went to the wall to keep this man in office. https://t.co/a7kt797BMa
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) April 17, 2020
Actually, we tried to liberate America from Trump, in an entirely appropriate and constitutional way. But the Senate Republicans wouldn't hold a real trial, ignored the evidence and voted to keep Trump in office.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 17, 2020
The president is fomenting domestic rebellion and spreading lies – even while his own administration says the virus is real, it is deadly and we have a long way to go before restrictions can be lifted. 2/7
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
The president’s actions threaten his own goal of recovery. His words will likely cause a spike in infections where distancing is working.
That will further postpose the 14 days of decline his own guidance says is necessary to ease restrictions. 4/7
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
I hope someday we can look at today’s meltdown as something to be pitied, rather than condemned.
But we don’t have that luxury today. There is too much at stake. 6/7
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
My full statement: https://t.co/WQ0AaIHiJj
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
The president uses vague calls to action so he can avoid responsibility and later claim he meant something else. Just yesterday, he was outlining a phased approach for “opening up America again.” He should be specific about his concerns. Which measures are okay and which are not? https://t.co/pnlUcsDQqf
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) April 17, 2020
It’s no coincidence that these protests are popping up. I firmly believe not only does Trump agree with them, he and the GOP are behind them.
Of course, Trump backs them. He is desperate to get the economy back on track so he can be re-elected. That’s all he cares about. Doesn’t care about the health and well being of Americans.
I'm reminded that we now know Russian operatives helped organize the "Jade Helm" protests in Texas in 2015, but really, when the President of the U.S. is personally inciting this I don't know that adversaries need to do much https://t.co/juSGUNeHbz
— David Burbach (@dburbach) April 17, 2020
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