Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer discusses the U.S. economy, and domestic and foreign policy priorities during a speech in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 9, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is being criticized for saying she agrees with President Donald Trump when it comes to the "motivation" behind the controversial sweeping tariffs the president imposed last week.
“People are struggling after years of inflation and wages that just won’t keep up. They want a government focused on lowering the cost-of-living," Whitmer said while speaking in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning.
"Instead, what they’re getting is the opposite… less money in their pockets and more doubts about their future paychecks. Critical government services getting defunded as they’re needed most," she added.
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Despite expressing disapproval of the administration's move to defund government services, Whitmer went on to say, “I understand the motivation behind the tariffs,” adding that's where "President Trump and I do agree."
Reacting to the surprising remarks from the governor on the social platform X, senior journalist Josh Barro, said, “'We need a consistent national strategy united around the new economic consensus that a lot of Republicans and Democrats now share?' Oh dear. No, Gretchen, no!"
Political commentator Adam Jentelson wrote, "Defending tariffs is malpractice, what are we doing here[?]"
Journalist Isaac Saul called the governor's statement "truly incredible," strongly criticizing the Democratic Party's messaging over the issue.
"Prominent Dems are really watching what is happening right now and have decided that tariffs are good and the messaging is Trump isn't doing them right. It's honestly hard to be this bad at politics and policy," he wrote on X.
Adam Ozimek, chief economist at Innovate Economy, said. "If we do get a huge recession, this type of talk is going to go away and quotes like this will come back to haunt people."
Whitmer is among the rising Democrats who could run for president in 2028.
MSNBC commentator Rotimi Adeoye said her latest stance on tariffs will hurt her chances. "If you are running for president and saying this, you are seriously miscalculating," he wrote.
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"Tariffs, before the Trump 2.0 era, were viewed as a policy tool. However, now that Trump is using them like a chainsaw to harm the working class, voters are unlikely to see them in this way," Adeoye added.
The governor emphasized in her Wednesday morning speech the importance of boosting the production of airplanes, naval vessels and semiconductor chips in order to outpace China.
She said the United Stated needs to accelerate its efforts while still excelling in commercial and military aviation, or else China will surpass it. "That’s something we can’t afford," she added.
"It's time to bring chip manufacturing back to our shores. Let's take control of the oceans and the skies. Let's innovate and collaborate on building our future," Whitmer said.
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