Michigan Republican Lawmakers Introduce Plan To Impeach Democrat Gov. Whitmer

Republican members of Michigan’s House of Representatives have introduced a resolution seeking to impeach Governor Gretchen Whitmer for “corrupt conduct.”

Three GOP state lawmakers — Representatives Beau LaFave, Matt Maddock and Daire Rendon wrote in House Resolution 324 that Democratic governor “exceeded her constitutional authority” following the state’s new plan to enforce stringent COVID-19 restrictions for three weeks to curb a new wave of rising coronavirus cases.

“Gretchen E. Whitmer has acted in conflict with her constitutional duties as Governor. 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.”

On Twitter, Rep. LaFave also shared the impeachment proposal.

“Today I introduced Articles of Impeachment against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” Rep. LaFave said.

“The four articles of impeachment against Gov. Whitmer includes failing to respect the separation of powers by exercising power granted to the legislative branch, violating the constitutional rights of the people of Michigan, issuing executive orders against the interests of the people and state, and using state resources to reward political allies,” he added.

https://twitter.com/BeauMattLaFave/status/1329201250500562955 

https://twitter.com/BeauMattLaFave/status/1329201252341837824 

The three Republican lawmakers noted in their resolution that Governor Whitmer is guilty of “corrupt conduct in office and crimes and misdemeanors” after she issued a three-week order targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities starting Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/jonathanoosting/status/1329179111206629379 

The impeachment resolution

“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,” BridgeMichigan reporter Jonathan Oosting said. 

Under the impeachment resolution the GOP state lawmakers noted how “dozens of executive orders” done by Governor Whitmer “have been expansive in scope and have reordered life for every person in the state.”

“The orders include, but are not limited, to: prohibiting evictions … banning non-essential medical procedures …  permitting public bodies to meet electronically … permitting public bodies to delay fulfilment of public records requests … closing businesses, and requiring residents to stay in their homes with limited exceptions,” the lawmakers said. 

“Through these orders, Governor Whitmer has unilaterally overridden legislatively enacted laws — including, but not limited, to the Revised Judicature Act, the Open Meetings Act, and the Freedom of Information Act — and created new laws in violation of the separation of powers guaranteed in the state constitution,” the trio added.

Impeachment resolution

LaFave, Maddock and Rendon went on to say that Governor Whitmer bypassed the legislative process.

“State law grants emergency powers to the Governor for the purpose of responding to immediate crises, but the Governor may only act in a manner that is consistent with the constitutionally mandated separation of powers. The state constitution does not permit the Governor to bypass the legislative process nor does it empower her to unilaterally make or amend laws for the protection of public health,” it said.

Regarding the “reward of political allies,” the resolution claims that the Democratic Governor “sought to direct a no-bid contract for COVID-19 contact tracing to a partisan political firm, utilizing state resources to reward political allies. 

“The state announced in April 2020 that it had approved a contract to use the platform EveryAction VAN to help track information and contacts and to help organize phone banking for the purposes of contact tracing. EveryAction VAN has direct ties to people and organizations that perform political work for political parties, organizations, and candidates in Michigan,” the Republicans wrote.

Michigan reported a recent spike in coronavirus cases —  which state authorities said is “four times” the number of daily cases seen during the first wave of the infection.

Most recent data showed the state with more than 303,000 coronavirus cases and 8,500 deaths putting it on the 11th spot with the highest number of cases in the country.

Steeve Strange

Steeve is the CEO & Co-Founder of The Scoop.