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CNN
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
Whitmer is trying to leverage her relationship with Trump again — this time on tariffs and Medicaid
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is trying to use her recent positive relationship with President Donald Trump to get some breaks for her state — on both tariffs and Medicaid changes. Whitmer met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday, where she laid out the negative impacts that tariffs would have on Michigan's substantial auto industry. She also asked for a longer grace period before certain changes to Medicaid under Republicans' new mammoth domestic policy law would take effect. 'I've always said that I'll work with anyone to get things done for Michigan. That's why I've continued to go to Washington, D.C. to make sure that Michiganders are front and center when critical decisions are being made,' Whitmer said in a statement to CNN. 'I will always do whatever I can to make life a little easier for Michiganders and strengthen our economy. We should do everything in our power to lower costs and grow more good-paying jobs in Michigan.' Whitmer has an uncommonly amicable relationship with Trump for a Democratic governor, and she's used it to lobby for Michigan before — including by successfully pushing for additional fighter jets for the state's Selfridge Air National Guard Base. But it's still uncomfortable optics for Whitmer, as her party frequently excoriates Trump. That dynamic was famously illustrated in April, when the president invited the press into the Oval Office for an impromptu press conference and she hid her face behind a folder. Contrast that with another Midwest Democrat, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has traded insults with Trump in recent days after Pritzker invited Democratic lawmakers to his state who are resisting Republican attempts to redraw Texas' congressional maps. During the meeting Tuesday, Whitmer particularly pressed Trump on Canada and Mexico tariffs that affect the auto industry, according to a readout from Whitmer's office. In April, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported cars and auto parts. Canada responded with 25% tariffs on US-made cars outside current existing trade agreements under USMCA. 'Michigan's economy is tied to the auto industry, and tariffs have a disproportionate impact on this industry. She also discussed economic opportunity in Genesee, with the best advanced manufacturing site in the country, and encouraged the president to work with her and other Michiganders on using this site to grow American jobs,' Whitmer's office said. Specifically on Medicaid, Whitmer asked for a three-year transition period before certain funding changes to the Insurance Provider Assessment take full effect. Whitmer is concerned about a provision in the big, beautiful bill that will limit certain states' ability to levy taxes on providers, which also bring in more federal matching funds. States use the money to help pay for their share of Medicaid expansion and increase provider rates, among other things. The limitation, which starts to take effect in October 2027 and phases down over five years, is expected to blow a hole in the budgets of many states. That includes Michigan, where provider taxes have a statewide impact of about $2.7 billion, according to the governor's office. Whitmer also asked for 'tighter collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a framework that ensures provider assessments meet current policy,' according to her office. Whitmer also saw Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chief of staff Susie Wiles during her visit to the White House, according to her office. Whitmer touted her prior bipartisan efforts with Trump in her Tuesday statement, adding that she appreciated 'the president's time and attention to the matters we discussed.' Trump had insisted on inviting Whitmer when he visited Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan to announce the new fighter jets, crediting her for pushing for the planes. Whitmer 'has done a very good job' Trump said at the time. Whitmer, who ended up briefly speaking alongside the president during the visit, said she was 'really damn happy' to be on hand for the announcement. Tami Luhby, Elisabeth Buchwald and Chris Isidore contributed to this report.
CNN
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
Whitmer is trying to leverage her relationship with Trump again — this time on tariffs and Medicaid
Health care policy Donald Trump TariffsFacebookTweetLink Follow Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is trying to use her recent positive relationship with President Donald Trump to get some breaks for her state — on both tariffs and Medicaid changes. Whitmer met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday, where she laid out the negative impacts that tariffs would have on Michigan's substantial auto industry. She also asked for a longer grace period before certain changes to Medicaid under Republicans' new mammoth domestic policy law would take effect. 'I've always said that I'll work with anyone to get things done for Michigan. That's why I've continued to go to Washington, D.C. to make sure that Michiganders are front and center when critical decisions are being made,' Whitmer said in a statement to CNN. 'I will always do whatever I can to make life a little easier for Michiganders and strengthen our economy. We should do everything in our power to lower costs and grow more good-paying jobs in Michigan.' Whitmer has an uncommonly amicable relationship with Trump for a Democratic governor, and she's used it to lobby for Michigan before — including by successfully pushing for additional fighter jets for the state's Selfridge Air National Guard Base. But it's still uncomfortable optics for Whitmer, as her party frequently excoriates Trump. That dynamic was famously illustrated in April, when the president invited the press into the Oval Office for an impromptu press conference and she hid her face behind a folder. Contrast that with another Midwest Democrat, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has traded insults with Trump in recent days after Pritzker invited Democratic lawmakers to his state who are resisting Republican attempts to redraw Texas' congressional maps. During the meeting Tuesday, Whitmer particularly pressed Trump on Canada and Mexico tariffs that affect the auto industry, according to a readout from Whitmer's office. In April, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported cars and auto parts. Canada responded with 25% tariffs on US-made cars outside current existing trade agreements under USMCA. 'Michigan's economy is tied to the auto industry, and tariffs have a disproportionate impact on this industry. She also discussed economic opportunity in Genesee, with the best advanced manufacturing site in the country, and encouraged the president to work with her and other Michiganders on using this site to grow American jobs,' Whitmer's office said. Specifically on Medicaid, Whitmer asked for a three-year transition period before certain funding changes to the Insurance Provider Assessment take full effect. Whitmer is concerned about a provision in the big, beautiful bill that will limit certain states' ability to levy taxes on providers, which also bring in more federal matching funds. States use the money to help pay for their share of Medicaid expansion and increase provider rates, among other things. The limitation, which starts to take effect in October 2027 and phases down over five years, is expected to blow a hole in the budgets of many states. That includes Michigan, where provider taxes have a statewide impact of about $2.7 billion, according to the governor's office. Whitmer also asked for 'tighter collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a framework that ensures provider assessments meet current policy,' according to her office. Whitmer also saw Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chief of staff Susie Wiles during her visit to the White House, according to her office. Whitmer touted her prior bipartisan efforts with Trump in her Tuesday statement, adding that she appreciated 'the president's time and attention to the matters we discussed.' Trump had insisted on inviting Whitmer when he visited Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan to announce the new fighter jets, crediting her for pushing for the planes. Whitmer 'has done a very good job' Trump said at the time. Whitmer, who ended up briefly speaking alongside the president during the visit, said she was 'really damn happy' to be on hand for the announcement. Tami Luhby, Elisabeth Buchwald and Chris Isidore contributed to this report.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Michigan Gov. Whitmer says Trump vowed to 'drop' idea of pardoning kidnapping plotters
DETROIT — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a radio interview that President Donald Trump had previously told her in the Oval Office he would not consider pardons for the men convicted of conspiring to kidnap her — a position he veered from this week, when he told reporters gathered in the White House that he would "take a look at it." Whitmer, speaking with Michigan Public Radio Network reporter Rick Pluta at the Detroit Regional Chamber Conference on Mackinac Island, said not condemning political violence "does a disservice to everyone." "I'll be honest with you, I talked to the president about a month ago and he asked me how I'd feel about this and I said I think it would be the wrong decision, I would oppose it, and he said 'Okay, I'll drop it,'" Whitmer said in an interview for the Michigan Public Radio Network that aired May 29. "Now we see this revelation. So, I'm not sure how to process it." Whitmer added she would be reaching out to Trump, a Republican, over the weekend. She previously visited the Oval Office and earned Trump's support for a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, as well as for a facility designed to prevent invasive carp species from entering the Great Lakes. Trump praised Whitmer, a Democrat, during the April visit, saying: "She's really been doing an excellent job." Whitmer, who typically meets one-on-one with reporters at the conference, declined an interview request from the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, through her office. Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on May 28, told reporters he was considering a pardon for the convicted plotters. In Aug. 2022, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. were convicted of conspiring to kidnap Whitmer in 2020 after being disgruntled with her government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's been brought to my attention. I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job, I'll be honest with you," Trump said, of a potential pardon. "It looked to me like some people said some stupid things. You know, they were drinking, and I think they said stupid things." Whitmer noted the July assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, saying leaders must condemn political violence regardless of party. "I will just point out that when the man shot at the president when he was on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, I was one of the first officeholders on either side of the aisle to condemn it," Whitmer told Pluta. "Because anything short of condemnation creates a dangerous space for people that are sworn an oath to do the work of the public. We don't take up arms and harm one another. And so, I'm going to make my thoughts on this known to the White House again. And I hope that it's not an action that they take." During a Q&A session on the stage of the Mackinac Policy Conference, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Tricia Keith asked Whitmer about the possibility of the Trump pardons. "Oh, what are you talking about?" Whitmer said. But after injecting some humor, she became serious. "No one should hesitate to condemn political violence," Whitmer said, adding that she hopes Trump doesn't follow through on the pardons he floated. Fox received a 16-year prison sentence, while Croft received a 19-year sentence after being convicted of an additional weapons charge. Both are currently serving their sentences at a maximum security federal prison in Colorado. In April, a U.S. 6th Circuit of Appeals panel denied their request for a new trial. Whitmer had previously condemned the kidnapping plot and called the convictions of Fox and Croft proof "that violence and threats have no place in our politics and those who seek to divide us will be held accountable." In total, 14 men were charged for their involvement with the plot. Prosecutors had mixed success across federal and state courts, landing nine convictions while five men were acquitted across state and federal courts. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gretchen Whitmer says Trump promised not to pardon kidnapping plotters
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan Matters: Defending the Mitten State's defense industry
Michigan put the world on wheels, and with its manufacturing prowess, has also dominated the defense industry. Jennifer Tisdale, National Defense Industrial Association board member, Valde Garcia, president of NDIA Michigan Chapter, and Mark Ignash, Director of the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation, discuss on Michigan Matters. The trio also discusses Selfridge Air National Guard Base and its economic impact across the state. Glenn Stevens, Mark Hackel and Eric Larson. Tim Lawlis/CBS Detroit The roundtable of Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MichAuto, which is part of the Detroit Regional Chamber, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, and Eric Larson, CEO of Downtown Detroit Partnership, discusses a busy time with talk of tariffs and business at the Mackinac Policy Conference taking place this week. (Watch Michigan Matters at its new time: 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit, 9:30 a.m. Sundays on CW Detroit 50 WKBD). (Carol Cain is the 13-time Emmy-winning senior producer and host of Michigan).
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Gov. Whitmer addresses viral White House photo during Henry Ford College commencement speech
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is responding to a now-viral photo of her in the Oval Office hiding her face behind a folder. On Saturday, Whitmer delivered the commencement address to graduating students of Henry Ford College in Dearborn. During the speech, she discussed her visit with President Trump at the White House in April. "A president with whom I have a lot of fraught history and so many differences," Whitmer said. According to Whitmer, she was supposed to have a private meeting with Mr. Trump to discuss tariffs, April's ice storm in northern Michigan, funding for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County and preserving the Great Lakes. "I was invited into the Oval Office at the beginning of a big press conference where the president was to sign several executive orders, orders that I did not agree with and rhetoric with which I vehemently disagree." Whitmer said she was not happy to be there, and at one point, held up a folder in front of her face. A photo of her actions, captured by a New York Times photographer, has been shared and talked about widely across social media platforms. She shared a lesson with graduating students regarding the viral response. "Life happens," Whitmer said. "It was a weird couple of days that followed. A lot of people had a lot of strong opinions about the whole thing, but I've been through enough to know if you can laugh at yourself, own your mistakes and keep going forward, you can get through almost anything." Whitmer has also delivered a speech while in Washington, outlining bipartisan efforts to grow the economy and boost manufacturing. Last month, the president reappointed Whitmer to the bipartisan Council of Governors, which reinforces the partnership between federal and state leaders on critical issues.
