JFK Library Is Honoring Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID Response Despite Her Failed Leadership

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library is honoring seven people for their “COVID Courage.” One of the recipients, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), is being praised for her pandemic response, even after another wave of the virus ravaged the state just weeks ago.

“In the face of backlash and threats, @GovWhitmer invoked emergency powers to contain the spread of the virus, issuing early, controversial orders to close schools and businesses, mandate mask wearing, and ban large gatherings, among other measures to keep people safe,” the library said in a tweet on Tuesday.

In the face of backlash and threats, @GovWhitmer invoked emergency powers to contain the spread of the virus, issuing early, controversial orders to close schools and businesses, mandate mask wearing, and ban large gatherings, among other measures to keep people safe. pic.twitter.com/lTfcx7i5hQ

— JFK Library (@JFKLibrary) May 4, 2021

The library praised Whitmer for sticking to her pandemic response, even after 13 men were charged last year in a plot to kidnap her.

“Despite violent threats against her life, Whitmer did not back down,” the library said on their website. “She stayed focused on following the science and listening to public health experts to get the pandemic under control and start rebuilding Michigan’s economy.”

According to Fox News, Michigan struggled with another COVID surge a few weeks ago, “including its second-highest single-day case total and its highest rate of hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. On April 16, the statewide positivity rate was higher than 14%.”

Whitmer came under fire early on in the pandemic when she forced Michiganders under strict lockdown orders.

As The Daily Wire previously reported, residents were prohibited from purchasing gardening seeds and other home improvement items, although marijuana and lottery purchases were deemed “essential.” Michiganders were also told not to travel to other residences “and they cannot fish or travel on in-state lakes if they have a motorized boat (canoes, kayaks, and other non-motorized vehicles are acceptable).”

Whitmer’s residents also took issue with her blatant hypocrisy. Shortly before Memorial Day 2020, Whitmer eased state restrictions, which allowed residents to visit parks and lakes again. She did, however, encourage people not to travel from the Detroit area to the Upper Peninsula

“A small spike could put the hospital system in dire straits pretty quickly. That’s precisely why we’re asking everyone to continue doing their part. Don’t descend on [waterfront] Traverse City from all regions of the state,” the governor said at the time, according to a Daily Wire report.

It was later revealed that her husband called the marina where their boat was stored and asked for it to be put in the water before Memorial Day. The distance between the governor’s mansion in Lansing to where Whitmer’s boat is stored is roughly 200 miles away.

It’s safe to say Whitmer’s COVID response was anything but “courageous.”

Beth Baumann is a Political Reporter and Editor at The Daily Wire. Follow her on Twitter @eb454.

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