Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says her swing state is getting ready for Trump administration efforts to disrupt voting in 2026 and 2028.
In an NPR interview, Whitmer didn’t accuse the administration of particular plans to intervene. However, she mentioned, “it will be a mistake to imagine that they don’t seem to be going to” and mentioned Democrats are getting ready via “tabletop” workouts.
The governor sat down with me for the video interview on Thursday throughout her go to to the Detroit Auto Present, pulling up a chair subsequent to a crimson Cadillac Escalade. The present is at Huntington Place, the identical conference middle that was a ballot-counting website in 2020, when pro-Trump protesters banged on home windows and tried to cease the rely.
Whitmer is starting her eighth and remaining yr as governor. She is time period restricted and never presently a candidate for something, although she is usually talked about as a presidential or vice presidential contender. She has made no public strikes towards operating in 2028, although because the vice chair of the Democratic Governors Affiliation, she says she is targeted on electing different Democrats.
You’ll be able to watch the complete video interview. Beneath are highlights:
Democratic governors are getting ready for additional election disruptions
Requested whether or not she assumed that pro-Trump forces would try to intervene with poll counting, Whitmer mentioned, “It might be a mistake to imagine that they don’t seem to be going to. So I do not know exactly what it’s that they may provide you with. However we have sensible, subtle, savvy folks across the tabletop that we’ll proceed to get ready.”
Requested about fears that Trump’s immigration crackdown — deploying hundreds of federal personnel into American cities — would turn out to be a software for controlling elections, Whitmer mentioned, “I do not suppose it is paranoia to have that concern.”
She mentioned Democratic governors are discussing tips on how to reply and are performing “tabletop” workouts, although she gave few specifics. “There are essential causes that I am not going to enter a complete lot extra element,” Whitmer mentioned.
She says Trump’s tariffs have “taken a horrible toll”
Whitmer used that alliterative phrase throughout a speech on the Detroit Auto Present. She mentioned U.S. auto manufacturing relied on elements and supplies sourced from around the globe, particularly Canada. U.S. automakers have mentioned tariffs value them billions of {dollars} in 2025.
The United Auto Staff union has spoken favorably of tariffs, expressing hope that they’d return manufacturing jobs to the USA. Whitmer conceded that “a number of the management says they like tariffs,” however “we’re seeing a contraction of U.S. manufacturing. That is job losses. And finally, their rank-and-file members have gotten to have the ability to afford to handle their households.” Requested how she may persuade union leaders, she mentioned, “I am not working to steer them to vary their thoughts. I am doing what I do know to be the precise factor to do for the Michigan economic system, for the USA economic system.”
She is attempting to grasp Democrats’ lack of help amongst males in 2024
Her state of the state speech in 2025 warned of “a era of males falling behind their fathers and their grandfathers.”
Requested to elucidate her considering, she mentioned, “After we take a look at the efforts that we undertook to make faculty or talent units extra inexpensive, girls had been signing up 2-to-1,” in contrast with males. She added, “After we introduced alternatives that deliver down the price of a primary house fee, girls had been signing up 2-to-1 for males. We weren’t reaching males.”
Requested about analysts who argue that many males are demoralized or disconnected, she mentioned, “I am listening to all, in all probability rather a lot, of the identical podcasts that you’re to grasp what can we do. How can we bridge this hole? It’s actual. And I believe that is step one.”
She says America is able to elect a girl president
Final yr, former first girl Michelle Obama mentioned to voters at a public occasion, “You aren’t prepared” to elect a girl, judging by the 2024 election outcomes.
“I really like Michelle Obama,” Whitmer mentioned. “So the very last thing I need to do is disagree along with her. However, you realize, I believe America is prepared for a lady president.” She mentioned Kamala Harris’ defeat in 2024 was not “simply gender” however quite a lot of components. “Now we have not had a girl president but. I believe we’ll sooner or later within the close to future,” Whitmer mentioned.
