Gov. Gretchen 'Karen' Whitmer Joins Protests Even as She Still Demands Social Distancing from Others

AP featured image — In this Thursday, May 21, 2020 photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speeks during a news conference in Lansing, Mich. Whitmer is relaxing coronavirus restrictions to lift a ban on nonessential medical and dental procedures, reopen retail shops and let residents gather in groups of 10 or less. The small social gatherings can start immediately. Retails stores and auto dealerships can reopen by appointment only starting Tuesday. Medical, dental and veterinary offices can resume nonessential procedures beginning May 29. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP, Pool)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has finally lifted her stay at home order, though she’s still preaching social distancing. While she had originally extended the lock down to the second week of June, the George Floyd protests apparently influenced her. Who knew that the virus could tell the difference between motivations? Apparently, it can though, at least in Whitmer’s mind.

Meanwhile, while Whitmer was threatening to arrest peaceful protestors a few weeks ago, she’s now out marching herself.

.@GovWhitmer @LtGovGilchrist and Bishop Charles Ellis lead a group of marchers in Detroit honoring the life of #GeorgeFloyd. Marchers call out "hands up, don't shoot!" @wxyzdetroit @ABC pic.twitter.com/ExR28L3dIm

— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) June 4, 2020

It’s just incredible. This is the same woman who wouldn’t let people use their boats and who ran people out of parks while they were nowhere near other people. But let a narrative she supports become the predominant theme and suddenly coronavirus is cured. Of course, even as she’s standing shoulder to shoulder in a huge crowd of people for her photo op, she’s still shaming people for not “social distancing.”

While Whitmer is hardly the only politician to show their coronavirus hypocrisy over the last few days, her flip-flop is especially egregious. She’s been the quintessential “Karen,” imposing the most draconian measures in the country.

Whitmer is also laughably seen holding her hands up as people chant “hands up, don’t shoot.” That’s a phrase that was thoroughly debunked during the Michael Brown saga, yet she’s perpetrating it here. It’s all just so ridiculous and pandering.

The governor is not up for re-election until 2022, but I’m thinking some people won’t forget her behavior during this time. Thousands in her state have had their lives ruined, their businesses destroyed, and their family members lost due to her nursing home policy. All the while, she’s treated much of it like a joke, appearing on comedy shows and letting her pettiness dictate policy more than common sense. We’ll see if that pays off for her down the road.