Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) addressed the viral photograph of her masking her face whereas on the White Home final week, saying that she was in Washington, D.C., to assist her state’s residents get their electrical energy again.
After delivering a speech Monday on the Detroit Financial Membership, James Jacob, the CEO of Ajax, sat down with Whitmer for a Q&A and instantly requested her about her time in nation’s capital. She jokingly held a folder in entrance of her face, recreating the now-viral photograph of her doing the identical within the Oval Workplace.
“Someone asked me what was going through your mind in that moment and it was, ‘I don’t want my picture taken,’” Whitmer mentioned. “That’s all it was. God, I wish I hadn’t put my folder up in front of my face, but whatever.”
She added, “We all have our moments,” earlier than turning severe, telling Jacob that 5,500 Michigan residents are on Day 15 with out energy after an ice storm hit northern Michigan the weekend of March 28.
Whitmer mentioned she was in D.C. to make sure Michigan can get a federal declaration of emergency and get assist.
“I’m just there to fight for the people of Michigan and I’m never going to miss an opportunity to show up and do what needs to be done and I think that’s what public service is supposed to be about,” Whitmer mentioned on the Detroit Financial Membership.
SAUL LOEB through Getty Pictures
Whitmer was invited to the Oval Workplace whereas Trump signed a number of govt orders in entrance of press, together with one directing federal companies to research authorities officers who questioned his false declare that the 2020 election was stolen. Trump praised Whitmer to the press, telling them she’s a “very good person” and has “really done an excellent job.” A spokesperson for Whitmer instructed NBC Information she was “surprised” she was invited to the chief order signings.
“Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Nonetheless the go to attracted critics, in keeping with NBC Information. On prime of that, after Whitmer’s “Build, America, Build” tackle Wednesday in D.C., during which she mentioned she agreed with Trump’s “motivation behind the tariffs,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) known as her out for it.
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“The ‘tariff hammer’ winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail,” Polis posted Wednesday on X. “Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction. While sanctions (Russia, Iran) can have a geopolitical national security role, it should always be considered eyes wide open that sanctions harm both ourself and others.”
