Threats to assassinate Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have been widely discussed over the past week within several extreme right-wing Facebook groups. This is occurring in the lead-up to a protest against her “stay home, stay safe” executive order scheduled for Thursday morning in the state capital, Lansing.
According to a report on Monday, journalists from the Metro Times gained access to four Facebook groups where these discussions were taking place. The groups, which can be viewed only by approved members, included numerous posts and comments calling for the governor to be beaten, lynched, beheaded or shot.
In one such group called “People of Michigan vs. Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” a member posted, “We need a good old fashioned lynch mob to storm the Capitol, drag her tyrannical ass out onto the street and string her up as our forefathers would have.”
Another post said, “Drag that tyrant governor out to the front lawn. Fit her for a noose,” to which a user responded, “Either President Trump sends in the troops or there is going to be a midnight lynching in Lansing soon.”
One said Whitmer “needs to eat lead,” and that this would send a message to other Democrats “that they are next.” When another user wrote, “She needs her ass beat,” a user responded, “Good ol’ fashioned bullets work better, but I like the enthusiasm.” Another requested, “Can we please just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down?”
When the Metro Times notified Facebook of these exchanges, the social media platform shut down the group, which was reported to have 9,000 members, for violating its policy against inciting violence.
Another group called “Michigan United for Liberty,” which is organizing the “Judgement Day” demonstration in Lansing on Thursday, was also shut down at least temporarily by Facebook on Sunday.
Of the other two other groups referenced in the Metro Times report, “Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine” and “Whitmer Recall Movement,” only the former has been terminated by Facebook. In all, the Metro Times reported that the four groups had a total following of 400,000 Facebook members.