Gov. Whitmer Spites Protests: 'I'm Not Changing Way I Run This State'

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer refuses to give in to stay-at-home protesters, telling the demonstrators protecting residents from coronavirus is the way "I run this state," during an interview with Fox News.

"But I've been focused on doing my job, and I'm going to keep doing that, and I’m not going to apologize about that," Whitmer said. "I'm not changing the way I run this state because of some protests."

Whitmer extended Michigan's stay-at-home order two weeks ago through at least May 28.

In April, Michigan's order was expanded to ban residents from visiting family and friends, and also kept them from going to second homes. The order also banned public and private gatherings of any size. Whitmer's order also prohibited stores from selling gardening supplies.

Whitmer sees the protests as a political ploy that detracts from the goal of staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

"There is a lot of politics at play here, unfortunately," Whitmer told Fox News. "The protests are very political in nature instead of being focused on the stay-at-home order."

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