Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer did not comment on recent protesters in her state chanting “Death to America” at an anti-Israel rally, but did discuss the potential impact of President Biden’s handling of the war in the Middle East on Michigan’s upcoming election. Whitmer stated that Michigan is always a close race and emphasized the need to support the diverse communities in the state that are currently hurting due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Biden administration condemned the chants in the strongest terms and made it clear that they do not want the votes of those protesters.
The largest population of Arab-Americans resides in Michigan, and polling data shows that less than 20% of Arab-Americans nationally would vote for Biden as long as the war continues in the Middle East. Earlier this month, video of protesters chanting “Death to America” at an Al-Quds Day rally in Dearborn circulated online. Whitmer refused to condemn the chants, while Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud publicly denounced them as unacceptable. Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib also declined to condemn the chants when confronted by a reporter.
During the “Meet the Press” interview, Whitmer was asked about whether the war in the Middle East could be classified as a “genocide” in Gaza, but she chose not to weigh in on divisive terms. Instead, she emphasized the need for productivity and peace in the midst of the ongoing conflicts. The lack of condemnation from Whitmer regarding the chants at the anti-Israel rally has led to criticism from state Republicans and calls for her to address the issue. Despite multiple requests for comment from Whitmer’s office, they have not responded.
The Biden campaign explicitly stated that they do not want the votes of the protesters who chanted “Death to America,” indicating a clear stance on the issue. Whitmer focused her comments on the need to support and uplift the diverse communities in Michigan that are directly impacted by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The lack of condemnation from Whitmer and Tlaib regarding the chants has sparked outrage and raised concerns among state Republicans and the broader community.
The Biden administration’s denouncement of the chants and the refusal to seek support from the protesters highlights a clear stance against the use of hate speech. Whitmer’s emphasis on the importance of supporting diverse communities in Michigan reflects a commitment to unity and understanding in the face of challenging and divisive events. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have had a significant impact on Michigan’s diverse population, and Whitmer’s comments underscore the need for empathy and support during this difficult time.
