Michigan bill would ban transgender student athletes from playing on teams associated with gender identity
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan joined more than 20 states that have recently introduced legislation that would ban high school transgender students athletes from playing on teams associated with their gender identity. Senate Bill 218 aims to prohibit a transgender boy from playing on a boys team as well as transgender girls playing on girls teams. The bill was introduced by Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) and co-sponsored by 12 other GOP senators, including Rep. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake). Thatโs what matters most.โRunestad contends that you can be a supporter of transgender rights yet still object to transgender girls competing on girls teams. However, Knott said there is not an example of high school transgender athletes taking those opportunities.
Michigan lawmakers hold hearing, seek answers about nursing home deaths amid pandemic
The hearing was initially meant to probe whether the stateโs nursing home policy designated them as โhubsโ for COVID patients. Andrew Cuomoโs administration was found to have been undercounting certain types of COVID deaths among nursing home patients, effectively lowering the number of deaths attributed to virus spread in nursing homes. State numbers show that a higher number of deaths: just over 5,500 residents in long-term care facilities have reportedly died from the virus. There has been no evidence, however, that Michigan is undercounting or underreporting long-term care COVID deaths. The plan was also backed by medical experts at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, the CDC and AARP, among others over the course of the pandemic.
Michigan lawmakers call on Pence to invoke 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office
Read: Experts: Capitol riot product of years of hateful rhetoricIn response, lawmakers are calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the Constitutionโs 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Learn more: What is the 25th Amendment and how does it work? The Vice President and Cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment, or Congress should impeach and remove the President. โ Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) January 7, 2021Rep. Haley Stevens, Michiganโs 11th DistrictI encourage those with the authority to invoke the 25th Amendment to exercise that power. pic.twitter.com/5VK8DLTLn4 โ David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 7, 2021Speaker of the U.S. House Rep. Nancy Pelosi, from California, previously introduced legislation in October requesting Congress to intervene under the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
Michigan lawmakers, groups condemn Republican leaders for punishing state rep. over Facebook video
After the hearing, Rep. Johnson received death threats in several voicemails, with one even calling for her lynching. Be in order, make them pay.โThough Rep. Johnson says she was not inciting violence with her message, Republican Michigan leaders and lawmakers whole heartedly disagreed. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. The MLBC is on record condemning all acts of violence, threats, racist rhetoric toward any citizen of this great state. Rep. Johnson released a video this week, where she discussed these spiteful messages and as a result, sheโs been stripped of her committee assignments.
Rep. removed from Michigan House Oversight Committee amid investigation
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson is under investigation after she posted on social media a response to the many violent, vulgar and racist death threats sheโs received. The video, posted Tuesday night, has quickly gone viral and legislative leadership removed her from her House Oversight Committee assignments Wednesday. โMy soldiers, they are soldiers for Christ, soldiers against racism, soldiers against domestic violence, soldiers against domestic terrorism,โ Johnson said. Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others.
Michigan House Oversight Committee members receive death threats, racist voicemails
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee is receiving death threats due to the election. She posted several of the threats to social media. After both Democratic and Republican representatives have received threats of violence over the election, Michigan Assistant Minority Floor Leader Laurie Pohutsky posted on Twitter about the SNL sketch. The SNL skit was amusing, I guess, but last night my caucus was trying to figure out how to keep those on that committee safe from the deluge of death threats theyโre receiving. Iโm sorry to be a bummer and Iโm glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous.
Rudy Giuliani pushes Michigan election fraud claims in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. โ While supporters of President Donald Trump stood outside the Michigan House office building, Trumpโs attorney Rudy Giuliani testified before Michigan House on Wednesday, claiming massive voter fraud in Detroit. Giuliani brought with him witnesses, who signed affidavits that have already been presented in court in Trump campaign lawsuits and have been dismissed or pulled by the campaign. READ: Giuliani to Republicans: Pressure Legislature on Biden winThe Michigan Senate held a similar hearing on Tuesday. Michigan House Republications made it clear that Wednesdayโs hearing was not about overturning election results in Michigan, but about listening to people who claimed they saw irregularities at the TCF Center in Detroit. Disputing President Donald Trumpโs persistent, baseless claims, Attorney General William Barr declared Tuesday the U.S. Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election.
Michigan State Sen. Mike Shirkey returns from Trump visit, does not answer questions
DETROIT โ The envoy of Michigan Republican lawmakers who traveled to the White House Friday for a controversial meeting with President Donald Trump returned home Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey refused to answer questions despite releasing a statement the day before. There were also photos of Chatfield and several other Michigan Republicans drinking inside Trump Hotel while seated at a table. The State Board of Canvassers meets Monday to vote on certifying the state election. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence.
Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White House
DETROIT โ Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. Itโs one of the most controversial White House meetings in recent history and thereโs concern the president is going to try get Shirkey and Chatfield to overturn Michiganโs election results. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. We each accepted his invitation as we would accept an invitation from any sitting President if asked to meet at the White House. โWe used our time in the White House to deliver a letter to President Trump making clear our support for additional federal funds to help Michigan in the fight against COVID-19.
Wayne County GOP canvassers say call from Trump did not influence vote decisions
DETROIT โ The two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers said the presidential election played no role in their decision despite receiving a phone call from President Donald Trump. The presidential phone call is where the controversy begins, but they both said the presidentโs only concern was for their safety. Monica Palmer said she has deep concerns for her daughterโs safety and William Hartmann has reportedly gone into hiding. Wayne County Board of Canvassers vice chair Jonathan Kinloch said he believes their explanation falls flat. The Michigan Secretary of Stateโs office said in a statement Thursday that there is no legal mechanism for two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers to rescind their votes cast for certification.
What we know about President Trumpโs meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakers
DETROIT โ Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. Itโs an extraordinary move as the Trump Campaign continues to attempt to stop Michigan from certifying the election results. Speaker Lee Chatfield confirmed that he was meeting with the president in a tweet just before the meeting Friday, saying he is honored to speak with Trump. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. And I look forward to our conversation.โThe 4 p.m. meeting comes after a contentious meeting with the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.
Michigan GOP lawmakers to meet with President Trump at White House Friday
Their vote will stand.โThe big question is what the Michigan Board of State Canvassers does on Monday. In midst of the election certification process, President Donald Trump has asked Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield to meet with him at the White House on Friday. Representatives with the Michigan State House and Senate could not be reached for comment. โThere is no legal mechanism for them to rescind their vote. Their job is done and the next step in the process is for the Board of State Canvassers to meet and certify,โ said secretary of state spokeswoman Tracy Wimmer, the AP reports.
Trump invites top Michigan lawmakers to White House amid longshot bid to overturn election result
WASHINGTON โ President Donald Trump has invited two top Republican Michigan lawmakers to the White House this week. Senate Republican Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield will reportedly attend a meeting a the White House on Friday. It is telling that Michigan GOP legislative leaders Mike Shirkey and Lee Chatfield are jetting off to Washington DC this week to meet with President Trump. Two Republican members of the board -- Monica Palmer and William Hartmann -- refused to certify the election results on Tuesday. Read more: Trump targets Wayne County vote certification in late bid to block Biden