Michigan Governor Accuses Trump of Playing ‘Political Games’ Over Border Crisis

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers remarks at an investment summit in National Harbor, Md., on May 04, 2023. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, took aim at former President Donald Trump while launching her fundraising campaign on Wednesday, accusing the Republican presidential nominee of tanking tough measures to tackle the border crisis.

Ms. Whitmer’s comments came after President Trump criticized her during an appearance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday, calling her “radical,” “left-wing,” and a “terrible governor.”

President Trump also criticized Michigan’s response to the ongoing immigration crisis after the state rolled out its “Newcomer Rental Subsidy program,” seeking to entice residents to house illegal immigrants.

Responding to his comments in a statement on social media platform X, the governor wrote that “Michiganders are tough and can hold our own” but that they have “a problem with people who play political games instead of solving problems.”

She then went on to claim that when President Trump was in office, his administration requested her office’s support to secure the border.

“I was happy to work across the aisle to help and I approved the deployment of Michigan National Guard troops to the southern border. But now, he won’t offer his own help to solve the problem,” she wrote. “He tanked the toughest, fairest, bipartisan border bill Congress has debated in some time that would provide extra safeguards for our country.”

‘Defend Our Democracy From MAGA Extremists’

“We need real leaders who will take action to protect Americans,” the governor concluded before urging her followers to donate to her Fight Like Hell PAC.

Separately in a fundraising pitch for the Fight Like Hell PAC, Ms. Whitmer said she is “fighting like hell to protect our fundamental rights, expand economic opportunity, and defend our democracy from MAGA extremists.”

President Trump, during his appearance in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, denounced the Biden administration’s immigration policies, branding them “country-wrecking,“ while vowing to end what he said was President Biden’s ”bloodbath” if he were to be re-elected into office.

He also spoke of Gov. Whitmer, whom he said is now “pushing Michigan families to accept $500 a month to take illegal aliens into your homes,” referring to Michigan’s rental subsidy program which would give landlords up to $500 per month for a year to house illegal immigrants.

President Trump went on to berate the fact that more isn’t being done to care for veterans or homeless Americans forced to live on the streets.

‘Biden and Whitmer Are Stealing Your Money’

“They don’t say this for other people, but they say it for migrants coming in because they want them to vote probably,” he said. “In other words, Biden and Whitmer are stealing your money to give free housing to illegals and then asking you to quarter these people, put them in your homes and feed them and do everything else ... the whole thing is so crazy, and she’s a terrible governor by the way. Your streets are bad ... everything is bad.”

Elsewhere during his appearance in Michigan, President Trump also mentioned the recent murder of 22-year-old Ruby Garcia. She was allegedly murdered by Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a 25-year-old Mexican national who had been previously deported.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Grand Rapids, Mich., on April 2, 2024. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

President Trump said the alleged suspect had been deported under his administration when immigration restrictions were significantly tightened but claimed that President Biden’s policies had made it easy for him to return to the United States.

“Now, Ruby’s loved ones and community are left grieving for this incredible young woman remembering what they called her ... they said she had just this most contagious laughter and when she walked into a room, she lit up that room,” he said.

The Police Officers Association of Michigan, which represents 12,000 officers statewide, endorsed President Trump for the third time during his remarks at the Grand Rapids Convention Center.

Janice Hisle contributed to this report.