President Donald Trump is unleashing his hardcore supporters upon Democratic states through a series of tweets calling upon them to “liberate” them from Democratic governors who are following social distancing and stay-at-home recommendations to fight the coronavirus.
Several states across the nation have put measures in place to keep the virus from spreading and killing more people. But protesters organized by a group connected to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos swarmed the Governor’s mansion in Michigan this week in an effort to pressure her to re-open the state early, blocking streets and preventing first responders from doing their jobs along the way.
Trump himself expressed support for the protests in remarks at his press briefing on Thursday.
“I think they listen to me,” Trump said. “They seem to be protesters that like me and respect this opinion.”
With that statement in mind, Trump went on a Twitter rampage targeting three states, two of which are major swing states he needs to win in November.
LIBERATE MINNESOTA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
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LIBERATE MICHIGAN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Trump’s tweets appear to be inciting more protests — or worse — in order to force Democratic governors to bow to his obsession with reopening the country earlier than recommended as coronavirus deaths continue to surge.
Such gatherings of protesters just risk further spread of the virus, thus resulting in social distancing and stay-at-home policies dragging out longer.
Americans were horrified by Trump’s tweets.
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
He has lost his mind. Just yesterday he said the restrictions should not be lifted yet. pic.twitter.com/ZSycRcNEoz
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) April 17, 2020
Dear @realDonaldTrump: Michigan does not meet the criteria you set for phase 1 reopening. It would need to show downward trajectory within 14 day period & get its hospitals out of crisis.
Stop telling people to violate your own guidelines with ridiculous liberate tweets. https://t.co/j33s6EXKgn
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 17, 2020
Voters liberated those states by electing #Democratic governors- and will LIBERATE AMERICA when we elect Joe! pic.twitter.com/2x4RI7I1Yw
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) April 17, 2020
.@jmpalmieri: “When Trump says liberate MI & VA, those are states he wants to win in Nov-Not only is he passing the buck & trying to avoid blame as he’s done, he’s actually inciting his supporters, these protesters to use the disease as wedge to his political benefit.” #AMRstaff
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) April 17, 2020
All but 8 states have issued statewide stay-at-home orders. Trump decided to put out a rallying cry to LIBERATE! three with Democratic governors. I don’t know how to interpret this other than as an attempt at causing chaos and death in those states. https://t.co/PGdSywpnIi
— Julian Sanchez (@normative) April 17, 2020
Trump tweeting “Liberate Michigan” is so irresponsible and dangerous. He just put us all at risks by telling the crazies it’s ok to come out. The rural hospitals could never handle being inundated with Coronavirus cases. Does he want certain people to get sick and die?
— Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE AMERICA you degenerate peice of sh-t. Seriously trying to force gun violence into this. I got kicked out of your crappy State Of The Union speech the last time you said that lie. You IMPOTENT, Incompetent thug. This country will fire you and elect @JoeBiden President! https://t.co/u9RaHaaqlG
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) April 17, 2020
Lets be clear: Trump is calling for militia members to liberate Michigan. Trump is inciting not just violence but a civil war. Trump is worse than the virus – Trump is a cancer. https://t.co/LOnwWXs4Ac
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) April 17, 2020
Any violence occurring as a result of these tweets is all on Trump. As president, he should be urging against such protests so that the pandemic can end sooner. Instead, he is setting his angry gun-toting supporters loose upon the nation.
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